RAYMOND BICKSON ELECTED NEW HAI PRESIDENT
Mr Raymond N. Bickson, Managing Director, the Indian Hotels Company Ltd, was unanimously elected as the President, Hotel Association of India, for a two-year term (2013-2015) at the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Association held on November 01, 2013, in New Delhi. He succeeds Mr Nakul Anand, Executive Director, Hotels Division of ITC Ltd.
Mr Raymond Bickson, whose hospitality career spans more than 30 years and across four continents, joined the Taj Hotels in January 2003 to oversee all its luxury property operations and was elevated in July 2003 as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a Division of India’s Tata Group, with responsibility for all Taj Hotels’ operations.
Under his leadership, the Taj Group has seen rapid global expansion, with new developments and acquisitions in key world markets, including Africa, Australia, Bhutan, Dubai, India, Maldives, Malaysia and the U.S.
Addressing the AGM, Mr Bickson stated that tourism and hotel industry performs an important role in promoting economic growth in the country. It contributes 6.4% to India’s GDP and provides employment, direct and indirect, to 53 million people. It would be his endeavour to lead the Hotel Association of India’s drive in key areas, in close collaboration with the Government, which could help develop a vibrant and globally relevant hospitality sector that will be attractive to foreign and domestic travelers for the benefit of the overall economy.
Following the AGM, a new 15-member Executive Committee of the Association was elected, with the following office bearers :
| 1. | Mr. Raymond Bickson Managing Director & CEO The Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (Taj Hotels) |
President |
| 2. | Mr. Vikram Oberoi Chief Operating Officer & Jt. Managing Director (Operations) EIH Ltd. (Oberoi Hotels) |
Vice President |
| 3. | Mr. Rupak Gupta Jt. Managing Director U.P. Hotels Ltd. |
Hony. Treasurer |
| 4. | Mr. Suresh M. Talera Chairman Talera Group of Hotels |
Hony. Secretary |
| 5. | Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi Chairman & Chief Executive EIH Limited |
Corporate Member |
| 6. | Mr. Nakul Anand Executive Director ITC Limited |
Corporate Member |
| 7. | Ms. Priya Paul Chairperson Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Pvt. Ltd. |
Corporate Member |
| 8. | Ms. (Dr.) Jyotsna Suri Chairperson & Managing Director Bharat Hotels Limited |
Corporate Member |
| 9. | Mr. Vivek Nair Chairman & MD Hotel Leelaventure Ltd. |
Corporate Member |
| 10. | Mr. K.B. Kachru Chairman Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group - Asia Pacific |
Fellow Member |
| 11. | Mr. Patu Keswani Chairman & MD Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd. |
Fellow Member |
| 12. | Mr. Anil Madhok Managing Director Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. |
Fellow Member |
| 13. | Mr. Veer Vijay Singh Chief Operating Officer Vivanta Hotels & Resorts |
Member |
| 14. | Mr. J.K. Mohanty Managing Director Swosti Premium Ltd. |
Member |
| 15. | Mr. Suresh Kumar President Fortune Park Hotels |
Member |
The new Executive Committee has been elected for a two year term from November 2013 to November 2015.