CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Oct. 24, 2007) � Stephen P.
Holmes, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Wyndham Worldwide,
one of the world�s largest hospitality companies (NYSE:WYN), yesterday
received the travel industry�s highest honor when he was inducted into
the Hall of Leaders.
| Maintained by the Travel Industry
Association (TIA), the Hall of Leaders recognizes individuals for �sustained,
noteworthy contributions that have positively impacted the travel industry,
simulated greater achievement, and raised industry-wide standards.�
Holmes was honored during a dinner before hundreds of his peers on October
23 in Charlotte, North Carolina during the Marketing Outlook Forum, an
annual industry conference run by TIA.
�I am truly honored to be joining such a long list of distinguished
leaders in the travel industry,� Holmes said. �It is a pleasure to be here
tonight and accept this honor on behalf of myself and the 30,000 people
in Wyndham Worldwide who are working everyday to provide a great experience
for our business partners and customers�.
In accepting the award, Holmes expressed his gratitude to many who helped
him throughout his career. He also shared his vision for the company culture
and values and called upon the travel industry to encourage Americans to
take their vacations. �From its stress-relieving and restorative powers,
to its ability to foster cross-cultural understanding, to the lifetime
of memories shared by all participants, the many benefits of travel are
well-documented. Yet, according to our friends at Expedia, more than 51
million Americans won�t use all of their vacation time in 2007� said Holmes.
�We need to do our part, as an industry, to re-instill the belief within
the American workforce that there is no shame in taking time off to relax
with family and friends. In fact, it allows us to return to our jobs re-energized
and ready to work.� |
Roger Dow (l) and Stephen Holmes
|
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�Steve is a great example of a top business executive with tremendous
responsibilities who can still make time for contributions to the entire
industry,� said Roger J. Dow, TIA�s president and chief executive officer.
�He serves on the executive committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council
and makes himself available in a host of other ways through which he has
demonstrated broad industry leadership.�
Holmes will be the 77th travel industry professional inducted into the
Travel Industry Hall of Leaders since it was created in 1969. The 2006
inductee was Jonathan Linen, former vice chair of American Express.
Holmes� firm, Wyndham Worldwide, is one of the world�s largest hospitality
companies with $3.5 billion in revenues employing approximately 30,000
people and operating in more than 100 countries. Wyndham Worldwide encompasses
6,500 hotels, 140 timeshare resorts and over 60,000 rental properties as
well as the largest timeshare exchange company, RCI. Holmes has been chairman,
president and CEO since Wyndham Worldwide was formed in 2006. He previously
served as vice chairman and a member of the board of directors for former
Wyndham parent Cendant Corporation where he oversaw Cendant�s hotel franchise,
vehicle rental, and timeshare businesses as chairman and CEO of Cendant�s
Travel Content Division.
About Wyndham Worldwide
As one of the world�s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide
offers individual consumers and business-to-business customers a broad
suite of hospitality products and services across various accommodation
alternatives and price ranges through its premier portfolio of world-renowned
brands. Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses almost 6,500 franchised hotels
and almost 542,000 hotel rooms worldwide. Group RCI offers its more than
3.4 million members access to over 60,000 vacation properties located in
approximately 100 countries. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets
and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing
to owners through its network of approximately 140 vacation ownership resorts
serving over 800,000 owners throughout North America, the Caribbean and
the South Pacific. Wyndham Worldwide, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J.,
employs more than 30,000 employees globally. |
