More than 400 international hospitality industry leaders from around the world are on their way to Beijing, China for the IH&RA 42nd Annual Congress, “Orient Express: Destination China! New Markets – New Competition” to take place next week from 28-30 October 2005, at the Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center. IH&RA is preparing for one of its largest meetings ever at this 2005 Congress which includes a 1-1/2 Conference programme with industry leaders debating the hottest issues impacting the hotel and restaurant industry today.

Highlights of this year’s Congress include:

Nik Gowing, Main Presenter BBC World, to act as facilitator throughout the 1-1/2 day Conference Programme and to moderate several panel discussions

Keynote Addresses by:

Dieter Huckestein, Chairman & CEO Conrad Hotels & President Hilton Alliance

Simon Cooper, COO, Ritz-Carton Hotels & Resorts

Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General, World Tourism Organization

Closing Keynote Address by Peter Yesawich, Chairman & CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell on “The Road Ahead: Five Forces Shaping the Future of the Global Lodging Industry”

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Chairman and Founder of the EasyGroup will discuss branding, innovation and new development, plus the impact of low-cost carriers and his latest project: EasyHotel New This Year! All Congress Delegates to Receive a Complimentary Copy of the 2005 Horwath Asia Pacific Study, courtesy Horwath Asia Pacific and IH&RA!

An exhibition of international and national hospitality industry suppliers Conference Panel Discussions on:

View From the Top: How will China’s Role as Tomorrow’s Leading Tourism Destination and Source Market Impact the Global Tourism and Hospitality Industry? Top industry leaders give their views of opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for travel and tourism in the 21st Century with Sun Gang, Vice Chairman, China National Tourism Administration, Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, World Travel & Tourism Council, Peter de Jong, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association and IH&RA CEO David McMillan.

Trends & Outlook for the Chinese Hotel Market with Leo C. Yen, Director of Horwath Asia Pacific Investment & Development: Leaders from Accor, Best Western International, Cendant, InterContinental Hotels Group, Ritz-Carlton and Langham Hotels discuss demand drivers for hotel development in China and around the world Branding: the two largest national brands of China – Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Company and the Beijing Tourism Group (BTG) discuss strategy with international brands Carlson Hospitality, Ritz-Carlton, Easy Group and InterContinental Hotels Group.

Human Resource Challenges: Discussion between representatives from Teda Hotels Group, Taj Hotels & Resorts, International Service Alliance, the Council on International Educational Exchange and hospitality management educational institutes: Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Cornell-Nanyang Institute.

Focus on Restaurants: Han Ming, Chairwoman of the China Hospitality Association, Jody Penette, CB5 Restaurant Group, and Sortiris Seimanidis, CEO, Goody’s, look at restaurant trends in China, Europe and around the globe China Outbound Tourism – Representatives from the European Travel Commission, Australian Hotels Association, Hotels Association of Canada, China Tourism University and the Pacific Asia Travel Association discuss how destinations can leverage China’s all important “Approved Destination Status” and how to effectively attract the growing number of outbound travellers from China.

Innovation and New Concepts: Representatives from Rezidor SAS, CB5, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts and EasyHotel discuss the latest in hotel and restaurant innovation and new concepts with moderator Dan Hogan, Publisher, Hotels Magazine.

E-marketing and E-distribution: Top international distribution managers from Accor, Hilton International, Great Hotels of the World Organization and the InterContinental Hotels Group discuss the latest in on-line distribution and the unique challenges facing China and the greater Asia Pacific with moderator Peter O’Connor, Associate Professor, Information Systems & Co-Director IMHI-ESSEC Business School.

Elegant Gala Events:

The Beijing Tourism Group (BTG) hosts an elegant Opening Ceremony at China’s historic Beijing Hotel, 28 October. The Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center will delight Congress delegates by recreating a “Beijing Street Scene”, 29 October to feature the IH&RA Environmental Awards Ceremony The Final Black-Tie Gala Dinner at the Kempinski, sponsored by Gung Dong Hotel Management Holdings Limited and Hotel Modernization China, will be the setting to announce the 2006 IH&RA President and induct leading industry figures as “Officers of the League of the International Hotel & Restaurant Industry.”