PIONEERS IN THE TOURISM AND
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
There are several outstanding individuals
who have made a significant contribution to the
growth and development of the tourism and
hospitality industry.
CESAR RITZ
Cesar Ritz became the general manager of
the Savoy Hotel in London, one of the most
famous and luxurious hotels in the world. He
made the hotel a cultural center for high
society. The Ritz name is synonymous with
refined, elegant hotels and service. At present,
the Ritz-Carlton hotels bear his name.
ELLSWORTH MILTON STATLER
Ellsworth Milton Statler is considered to be
the premier hotel-man of all time. He brought
a high standard of comfort and convenience to
the middle-class traveler at an affordable
price. He was the first to put telephones and
radios in every guest room together with fulllength mirrors, built-in closets, and a special
faucet for ice water.
CONRAD HILTON
Conrad Hilton was once recognized as ‘’the
biggest hotel men in the world.’’ he was
described by the New York Times as the
‘’master of hotel finance.’’ he was careful not
to over-finance and had a flawless sense of
timing. In 1954, he formed the first major
chain of American hotels- a group of hotels
which followed standard operating
procedures.
THOMAS COOK
Thomas Cook is recognized as the first
professional travel agent. He was the founder
of the world’s first travel agency. He is credited
for making world travel possible for the
middle class. The phrase ‘’Cook’s Tour’’ is still
used at present to refer to a tour that goes to
many places and stops briefly at each place.
HOWARD DEARING JOHNSON
Howard Johnson was the pioneer of brand
leveraging. He was one of the first to
introduce franchising in the 1930s. At present,
Howard Johnson is one of the famous names
in the restaurant and hotel business.
J.WILARD MARRIOTT
J. Willard Marriott founded the Marriott
Corporation which has continued to be an
important asset to the hospitality industry.
Through his strong faith and determination, J.
Willard Marriott began with a rootbeer stand
which was founded by necessity and built it
into a multibillion-dollar industry.
RAY KROC
Ray Kroc has been the most financially
successful of all hospitality entrepreneurs. He
founded the McDonald’s Corporation, a
multibillion-dollar industry, through his strong
dedication, organizational skills, perseverance,
and incredible aptitude for marketing. Kroc
developed several operational guidelines such
as Quality Service Cleanliness and Value.
Kroc’s motto ‘’never be idle a moment’’ was
also incorporated into the business.
ISADORE SHARP
Isadore Sharp, a first generation Canadian,
was the founder of Four Seasons Regent
Hotels, the world’s largest hotel chain and a
multimillion-dollar global hotel empire. The
success of the Four Seasons Regent Hotels is
largely due to the drive, determination, and a
personal taste and style of Isadore Sharp.
RUTH FERTEL
Ruth Fertel was the founder of Chris Steak
House, the largest upscale restaurant chain in
the United States. It has 59 operations-54 in
the US and Puerto Rico and five intentionally.
It sells more than 11,000 steaks daily with a
gross income of two hundred million dollars a
year. Because of this volume, Ruth Fertel is the
most successful woman restaurateur at
present.