International Restaurant & Hotel Awards™

About the Grand Award Hotels & Restaurants

International Restaurant & Hotel Awards Honorees, Recipients & Grand Awards

About the Irha Award Honorees & Recipients

The International Restaurant and Hotel Awards recognizes
an individual who has made significant contributions in
the travel and dining industry. This award highlights
the selected industry leader's lifetime effort of successfully
achieving the IRHA mission of promoting cultural exploration and
unforgettable travel and dining.

VISIONARY OF THE YEAR

The Visionary of the Year Award is a special award honoring an
individual whose combination of ingenuity, tireless efforts and
significant accomplishments clearly illustrate the power of
vision and values in the travel and dining industry.
This individual exudes direction, leadership and strength
in the hospitality and travel industry, which speaks
through their exemplary example as an industry leader.

HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR - SPOTLIGHT ON NEW ORLEANS

We all remember the devastation that Hurricane Katrina left
in its wake, but since that time something extraordinary has
happened in New Orleans. People from all over the world
have shown extravagant generosity and demonstrated exceptional
efforts in the revitalization of the city. New Orleans was hit
hard by the economic impact on tourism but the ability to recover
and resume operation shows the resilience of this community.

There are over 31,000 hotel rooms available and hundreds of
restaurants to choose from to enjoy fine Southern cuisine
The Crescent City remains dedicated to providing travel
and dining experiences that are unforgettable. There are
so many dynamic people who have committed endless amounts
of time and energy to rebuild and revitalize the area.
In this regard, the International Restaurant Hotel and
Awards would like to honor one particular individual/company
who embodies the true spirit of volunteerism with the
inaugural Humanitarian of the Year Award.

In the words of Albert Schweitzer, "Humanitarianism
consists in never sacrificing a most notable contribution
to his community in a humanitarian sense". This award
recognizes and honors an individual/company who made
enduring significant contributions to the city of New
Orleans in the travel and dining industry. One
individual/company can make a difference in a community
for a city that exudes hope, faith and perseverance.

*IRHA spotlights a different city each year.
The Humanitarian of the Year is not always affiliated
with the Spotlight City.

ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN

The Achievement in Design honoree is awarded to a designer
who demonstrates the most innovative and challenging use of
concept and design in a way that exceeds the normal boundaries
of originality and creativity throughout his or her career.
The selected designer successfully delivers an overall
extraordinary user experience for all their projects.
IRHA celebrates this designer for their lifetime efforts
to use the most compelling incorporation of balance and
dramatic effect to create unique unforgettable decor.

ACHIEVEMENT IN WINE

IRHA presents the Achievement in Wine Award to an international
legend in the wine industry with a lifelong commitment to enhancing
the wine industry. This industry pioneer has paved the way
for future generations and has strongly influenced public knowledge
on the fine art and appreciation of wine culture through the spirit
of education.

ACHIEVEMENT IN FOOD & DINING

Achievement in Food & Dining will be awarded to a major
trailblazer in the culinary industry who has dedicated their
life to exploring the culinary landscape and setting the
industry standard for others to follow. Whether facing the
challenges of preparation, presentation or preservation,
they have improved the pallets and tastes for all dining
enthusiasts.

ACHIEVEMENT IN TRAVEL

The Achievement in Travel award recognizes the highest standard
of excellence in the travel industry when promoting travel and
hospitality. This mastermind of travel has surpassed the
competition in terms of creativity, innovation and use of
technology to get travelers to a new destination. Big ideas
and creative concepts are the true inspiration for taking
the world of travel to the next level of cultural exploration.

ACHIEVEMENT IN HOTELS

The Achievement in Hotels award will be given to a hospitality
icon who encompasses innovative style with a creative flair to
inspire and excite travel and dining enthusiasts. The
winner of this award has successfully made the necessary transition
to improve the quality of hotel accommodations for travelers.
More importantly, they have built, designed or initiated an industry
overhaul that has significantly changed the hospitality industry.

EDITOR OF THE YEAR

This title will be presented to an editor whose content is an
extremely powerful force in shaping public opinion in the world of
travel writing. This editor represents excellence in journalism
through the written word with an emphasis on in-depth accurate
stories that encompass both honesty and integrity. In a world
where one review can make or break an establishment, this editor
accepts this responsibility and is committed to maintaining an
elite industry standard that exceeds expectations.

TRAVEL/DINING PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR

In addition to depth of content, creative presentation and a
plethora of entertaining information, the overall layout of
the Travel/Dining Publication of the Year appeals to all
types of travelers looking to discover new tastes and sites.
The Editor and Publisher presented with this award receive
the coveted title as the media outlet most valuable to all
restaurants and hotels, as well as travel and dining enthusiasts
all over as a must-read for planning trips and dining excursions.

MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

Marketing Campaign of the Year will be awarded to the hotel,
travel or restaurant marketing team, public relations firm or
marketing company that has created a distinct brand awareness
that peeks the interest of travel and dining enthusiasts to
bring both national and international acclaim. This
team has been successful in the difficult task of reaching
breakthrough markets and target groups to attract consumers
in every budget category for every different style of travel.

TRAVELER'S VOTE AWARDS
BEST OF TRAVEL & DINING in TV, RADIO, WEB & FILM

The Traveler's Vote Award for best of travel and dining in television,
radio, web or film goes to the top media professional that encourages
and motivates the public to experience new tastes and places. Their
concept and vision is the driving force behind successfully exposing
large target audiences to the benefits of taking risks, trying new
things and appreciating cultural differences.

About the IRHA Grand Award Hotels & Restaurants

International VALUE, MODERATE & LUXURY Restaurants of the Year

All restaurant submissions will get a chance to receive the Grand Award of International Restaurant of the Year. Once all first, second and third place restaurants are announced in each subcategory, the panel will choose the restaurant that is set apart from the rest. The Jury will consider the first place subcategory recipients and the top scoring establishments in the Best of City, Region & Country program. The International Restaurant of the Year demonstrates an unmistakeable, unique approach to its cuisine and creates a one-of-a-kind experience for patrons. Food enthusiasts from around the world will travel miles to taste this phenominal culinary star establishment.

IRHA Grand Award restaurants receive the coveted title of International Restaurant of the Year, two tickets to the International Restaurant & Hotel Awards Gala in November 2008 in Beverly Hills, an IRHA statue, certificate of achievement and maximum exposure to the hospitality industry and public for a year on the IRHA website, at the gala, in promotional marketing and in the International Restaurant & Hotel Awards Book.

International VALUE, MODERATE & LUXURY Hotels of the Year

All hotel submissions will get a chance to receive the IRHA Grand Award of International Hotel of the Year. Once all first, second and third place hotels are announced in each subcategory, the panel will choose the restaurant that is set apart from the rest. The Jury will consider the first place subcategory recipients and the top scoring establishments in the Best of City, Region & Country program. The International Hotel of the Year provides the ultimate first-rate vacation, where guests receive a world class experience and accomidatons they will never forget.

IRHA Grand Award Hotels receive the coveted title of International Hotel of the Year, two tickets to the International Restaurant & Hotel Awards Gala in November 2008 in Beverly Hills, an IRHA statue, certificate of achievement and maximum exposure to the hospitality industry and public for a year on the IRHA website, at the gala, in promotional marketing and in the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards Book.