"The United States is third behind France and Spain for international visitors," said McInerney. "The United States is the only country that doesn't have a national tourism council. It is critical that the government help us to promote our nation as a tourist destination - it would affect the entire economy of the country, not just our industry."

McInerney was on campus to be honored as a Distinguished Visiting Professor, a program that draws top executives from the hospitality field to Johnson & Wales to share their knowledge with students.

He also told the students to learn as much as they could while they were in school since the industry would welcome such highly educated prospects.  McInerney also advised them to take advantage of any international assignments they were offered, as he had in his career and learned so much from the experience.

McInerney, a Certified Hotel Administrator, joined AH&LA in October 2001. He implements and directs AH&LA's service to the U.S. lodging industry, providing leadership and guidance in developing programs and activities of value to association members. Prior to that, he served as the chief executive officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

McInerney gives lectures about the various opportunities available in the hospitality industry at colleges and universities across the United States and Thailand. He has been recognized with several industry awards, including the "Tourism Man of the Year" award by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association; the 1999 Stephen Brener, Silver Plate Lifetime Achievement Award from Hospitality Magazine; and the 1994 Economy Lodging's "Person of the Year," by AH&LA.

"We are very lucky to have such an important figure in the hotel industry on campus," said Katie Davin, chair of The Hospitality College's International Hotel School. "Joe McInerney is a great resource for our students to draw from. His work on Capital Hill, lobbying for the lodging industry, is vital to us all." 

During McInerney's visit, Jillian Nichols, a sophomore majoring in Hotel Management, was awarded a Distinguishing Visiting Professor scholarship from Johnson & Wales. Nichols, a native of Westerly, R.I., is already employed in the industry as the general manager at the Harbor House Inn in Watch Hill.

The Hospitality College at Johnson & Wales - America's Career University® - boasts the largest enrollment nationally of students preparing for careers in international hotel and tourism management, hotel management, food and beverage management, sports/entertainment/event management and travel-tourism management. Students are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs in hospitality.