The Preston Robert Tisch Center

THE LODGING MARKET, CONDUCTING BUSINESS,
AND OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA
February 8, 2011

The Ninth Annual Ricelle "Bunny" Grossinger Distinguished Lecture Series in Tourism Management featured Raymond N. Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Sponsored by the NYU-SCPS Tisch Center in conjunction with Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME), Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI – Greater New York Chapter), and Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Bickson spoke about the tourism industry and the opportunities that could be found in India.

Raymond N. Bickson
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Raymond N. Bickson, whose hospitality career spans more than 30 years and four continents, joined Taj Hotels in January 2003 to oversee all luxury property operations. In July 2003, he was named Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Indian Hotels Company Limited, a division of India’s Tata Group, with responsibility for all Taj Hotels operations and management, hospitality and travel subsidiary companies.

Under his leadership, the Taj Group has seen rapid global expansion, with new developments and acquisitions in key world markets. The Taj Group has formed strategic partnerships with other luxury hotel chains and cruise lines; developed innovative new products, including India’s first luxury safari lodges and tours, and the launch of the new Ginger Hotels, Gateway Hotels and Resorts and the Vivanta by Taj Brand.

Previously, Mr. Bickson served as Vice President and General Manager of The Mark in New York, The Rafael Group Hoteliers Monaco, and with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for 15 years. His prior experience includes management positions with Regent International Hotels in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Puerto Rico, Melbourne and Shanghai, and training positions with Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris, Le Montreux Palace Switzerland and the Kahala Hilton Hawaii. Mr. Bickson is a member of the World Travel & Tourism Council; the International Business Leaders Forum; and the advisory boards of The Leading Hotels of the World and École Hôtelière Lausanne. He is also the recipient of the Corporate Hotelier of the World Award 2007, by HOTELS Magazine.

Mr. Bickson attended The École Hôtelière Lausanne – Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate by Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island.

• PDF of Presentation
• MP3 of the Podcast
• ZIP file including MP3 audio file and PDF of presentation