ISSUES

Hotel & Restaurant Industry Issues and Battles that are being addressed !!

These can be divided into regulatory issues, giving rise to Treaties and Conventions (eg the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control regulating the use and promotion of tobacco products) - and industry issues, such as health promotion, combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children, traveller safety and security, sustainable development of tourism and the environment.

Typically, regulatory issues are the focus of governments and industry issues of the private sector - although the distinction between the two kinds of issues is often blurred, particularly in an era of escalating regulation.

Issues currently on the IH&RA radar screen as well as those under scrutiny by a Global Council.

• International Standards. Opposition to the ISO move to establish international standards for Hotel & Restaurant Services without industry support.
• Check - in/Check - out. Opposition to consumer movement for an international standard ensuring total flexibility in check-in/check-out times.
• International Hotel Classification Scheme . Opposition to global requests for one single International Hotel Classification Scheme .
• Internet Trademark Infringement on the Internet. The use and/or ‘purchase’ of hotel trade names by e-distribution intermediaries.
• Worker Migration. The inability of good workers to get to available temporary jobs.
• Skills and Worker Shortages. The shortage of approximately 5 million workers in the next 5 years
• Pandemics & Avian Flu. The need for responsible communications and accurate Travel Advisories.
• Terrorism Guidelines. Action/Reaction in the event of a terrorism incident. We can all learn from each other.
• Corporate Social Responsibility. Are we truly credited with the work we do ? Are there opportunities for improvement?
• Copyright Fees. The industry is being milked by multiple collecting societies and on many fronts.
• Food Safety. Is the hotel and restaurant industry responsible from ‘farm to fork’? Where does our responsibility start and end?
• Obesity. Is the food service industry responsible? What about consumers?
• Disaster avoidance. Creation of operating guidelines for communities to prepare for disasters. Phase one, coastal areas.
• Smoking in Restaurants & Bars. There are still areas of the world that can benefit from the experience of others.
• Combating the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel & Tourism. What can the industry do?
• Diversity at the management level. The need for management more accurately to reflect the employee mix.
• Environment & Sustainable Tourism. The promotion and recognition of innovative operating & development practices designed to make the industry more sustainable.
• Timeshare. What is the true economic value of Timeshare to the lodging industry?