GERARD Pelisson started his career in engineering.
He became director of marketing research and later director of planning and operational research with IBM Europe.
He was co founder and co-chairman of the Novotel chain with fellow Hall of Fame member Paul Dubrule in 1963 and later went on to become co-chairman and chief executive officer of the Novotel SIEH group and co chairman and chief executive officer of the Accor Group.
He is president of the Union des Francais de l’Etranger; chairman and co-founder of the Brillat-Savarin Foundation; and a co-founder and vice-chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council.