Luis C. Barrios is Inducted into the California Hotel & Lodging Association Hall of Fame
Indian Wells, Calif. - The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) inducted Luis C. Barrios, General Manager of the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel in San Diego, into the CH&LA Hall of Fame today at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa. The Hall of Fame award is CH&LA’s most prestigious honor, presented to California hoteliers or industry executives recognized for outstanding contributions of leadership, service, and professionalism to the California lodging industry and the community at large. Luis Barrios is the 25th recipient of the CH&LA Hall of Fame award.
Mr. Barrios has been the General Manager of the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel since 2004 and has an extensive background in the hospitality industry. He has a degree in economics for the Universidad Javeriana Bogota in Colombia, South America. He was granted an internship with Hilton Hotels and placed in the management training program at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. He attended Miami-Dade Community College for hotel management training and participated in the general managers program at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
His career has taken him through various roles within the hotel industry, including Director of Sales, Food & Beverage Controller, Resident Manager and General Manager for companies such as Evans Hotels, Omni Hotels, the New York Sheraton, Hilton Corporation and Best Western.
Mr. Barrios has been an active member of the California Hotel & Lodging Association Board of Directors for 15 years and was Chair of the association in 2005. He has also been a contributing member of the CH&LA Education Committee and was chair for the CH&LA Education Foundation Board from 1999 to 2009.
His philanthropic contributions and industry accolades are what make Mr. Barrios stand out most. He has held a number of leadership positions within the lodging and tourism industries, including President of the San Diego Hotel/Motel Association and Board Member of the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Cooperation. He has also been a frequent keynote speaker for the Mt. Miguel High School tourism studies program. Mr. Barrios was named the 1993 San Diego Hotelperson of the Year, was the recipient of the 2000 “Most Valuable Volunteer Award” from the American Hotel & Motel Association, and was awarded the 2008 and 2013 District VI All Star Governor for Best Western.
“Luis’s lifetime dedication to the lodging industry is a great example to others. He has been a leader not only in California, but on a national level," said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, CAE, President & CEO of CH&LA. “It’s a privilege to induct such a committed industry professional into the CH&LA Hall of Fame.”
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About CH&LA
The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) is the largest state lodging industry association in the nation and a Partner State Association of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Its members include all segments of the lodging industry including the California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns - California’s largest association of professional innkeepers and certified bed & breakfasts and boutique inns. CH&LA is the leading resource for communicating and protecting the rights and interests of the California lodging industry. CH&LA was established in 1893. CH&LA is on the web at www.calodging.com.
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