Hotel & Catering International Management Association chief executive Philippe Rossiter has honoured Lord Charles Forte as an inspiration to the industry following his death last week.
Lord Forte, who launched the Travelodge chain of hotels, died last week in his sleep at the age of 98. He was one of the select number of people to obtain an honorary life membership of the HCIMA.
“Lord Forte was an inspiration to many people in the industry,” said Rossiter. “He exemplified the very objectives for which the HCIMA was established.”
Lord Forte was a founder member of the Hotel and Catering Institute, one of the forerunners to the HCIMA.
In another glowing tribute ITM vice predicent Arthur Lyddall wrote:
“Among the many tributes that will be paid to the memory of Lord Forte who died on March 1st, I would like to add the following. Although diminutive (5’ 4”) in stature, he was a giant of a man on the travel scene.
I had the pleasure of meeting him in 1974 when – as Sir Charles Forte, CEO of Trusthouse Forte (one of the best known brand names in the business travel market) – he accepted an invitation to address the members of the Institute of Travel Managers at a Luncheon in Quaglino’s Restaurant, attached to the Meurice Hotel in Mayfair.
As Chairman of the London Branch of ITM, I hosted the event and was deeply impressed by the modest demeanour displayed by a person who wielded such influence.
Commenting on his knighthood and physical size, Sir Charles joked that he was probably the shortest knight of any year and told me that he would much prefer to prepare sandwiches (apparently “his speciality”) for the audience rather than make a speech. Needless to say, his talk proved highly relevant to the current scene and was very well received.
In order to enhance communication within the travel industry, the Institute (which at the time was an exclusively purchasing association) had recently decided to create a non-voting class of membership to enable the purveyors of accommodation and transport to participate more effectively in its activities.
I am delighted to say that Sir Charles graciously accepted our invitation for ‘THF’ to be the first supplier elected to what in those days ITM termed ‘Corporate Membership’.
Publication of such an eminent appointment, opened the floodgates and within a few short months every major airline, hotel group and car rental company followed suit.”