Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
has become a senior partner with The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. Under the agreement, Taj Hotels will sponsor a major research project to be conducted by a research fellow at the Center, and Taj CEO and managing director Raymond Bickson will join the Center’s Board of Directors. Taj Hotels is the Center’s first senior partner based in India.
“This agreement furthers our commitment to build partnerships with preeminent hospitality companies around the globe,” said Gary Thompson, Ph.D., Hotel School professor and executive director of the Center. “We look forward to working with Taj Hotels to produce research that helps companies find better ways to run their business.”

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces comprises 71 hotels in 39 locations across India, and includes 13 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa, the U.S. (New York’s Pierre Hotel) and the Middle East.

Mr. Raymond Bickson brings to the Center’s board an extraordinarily accomplished hospitality career that spans 30 years and four continents. Among his many awards, he was voted one of the Top 10 Best Hotel Managers by Leaders magazine from 1997-2002 and as Best Hotelier in the World by the Gallivanter’s Guide in 2002.

“We are pleased to partner with Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research in furthering its mission to shape the global knowledge base in hospitality management,” said R.K. Krishna Kumar, vice chairman, The Indian Hotels Company Ltd. “It is particularly gratifying that Mr. R.N. Tata, the chairman of the Tata Group of Companies, of which the Taj is a part, is a graduate of Cornell University School of Architecture, and we are delighted to renew this relationship. As Taj broadens its global footprint, we look forward to leveraging Cornell’s renowned research capabilities and working together to get unfolding perspectives on the strategic issues facing our industry. I am sure Mr. Raymond Bickson’s involvement will be of benefit both to Cornell and to the Taj.”
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