Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts founder Isadore "Issy" Sharp has been named the 2010 inductee into the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders. Distinguished individuals are named to the Hall of Leaders maintained by the U.S. Travel Association for "sustained, noteworthy contributions that have positively impacted the travel industry, stimulated greater achievement, and raised industry-wide standards."
Sharp, who serves as Four Seasons' chairman and CEOr, will be honored during a dinner among more than 100 travel industry leaders during the U.S. Travel winter board meeting on December 2.
"Issy Sharp's leadership over five decades in building the Four Seasons brand to set the standard for luxury accommodations and personalized service makes him this year’s deserving inductee," said Roger Dow, U.S. Travel's president and CEO.
Nearly 50 years ago, Sharp opened a small motor hotel in Toronto, beginning a guest-focused concept that has grown the company to over 80 mid-sized hotels of exceptional quality in 35 countries. Among its innovations over the years, Four Seasons was the first hotel company to employ concierge’s company-wide, raised the caliber of in-room amenities, and dispelled the stigma of "hotel dining" by offering exceptional restaurants at its properties.
With this induction, 82 travel industry professionals have been inducted into the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders since it was created in 1969. The 2009 inductees were Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International; Stevan Porter, the late president of the Americas region for InterContinental Hotel Group; and Andrew Taylor, chairman and CEO of Enterprise Holdings.
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