Rezidor chief executive inducted into British Travel and Hospitality Hall of Fame

Swiss-born Ritter, who was appointed to his current role with Rezidor in 1989, was honoured with the award at an event at the Savoy Hotel ‘for having created a major and highly successful leading organisation in the global travel and hospitality industry’.

"I am very honoured to be a new member of the British Travel Industry Hall of Fame. This award means a great motivation to me to continue my work in the world of hospitality,” he said.

Our industry is one of the most prosperous global businesses, and dedicated to serving our guests in hotels with clearly defined brands and innovative, personalized services. A hotel will never be a standardized machine, but always a true people business,” Ritter added.

The British Travel and Hospitality Industry Hall of Fame was created in 1995 and celebrates achievement in developing the travel and hospitality sectors.

Lord Forte of Ripley, the founder of Forte Hotels, and Curtis Carlson, the founder of Carlson hotel group, have previously been honoured with the award.

Carlson Rezidor​

Rezidor currently operates the Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson brands and has a portfolio of 425 hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. At the beginning of the year Rezidor and Carlson announced a merger​ with Ritter and Carlson chief executive Hubert Joly becoming co-chairs of the new Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

A month later Carlson Rezidor ​and Edwardian Group announced the rebrand of all 13 Radisson Edwardian hotels in the UK​ to Radisson Blu Edwardian by the second half of the year.

Representatives from International Airlines Group, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Stagecoach Group were among other winners at the ceremony which also saw prizes handed out for Young Manager and Young Entrepreneur in the industry.