SPAIN. Areas Chairman Pedro Fontana has been recognised with one of Catalonia’s highest business honours, receiving the Foment del Treball Award for Lifetime Achievement at a gala ceremony in Barcelona on 25 November.
The accolade – part of the annual Foment del Treball Awards and Medals of Honor (also known as the Carles Ferrer Salat Awards) – celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Catalonia’s economic and business landscape. Winners are selected by a jury comprising representatives from leading Catalan business institutions.
Fontana received the distinction at the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya before an audience of more than 800 guests.
Fontana assumed the chairmanship of Areas in November 2019, just months before the COVID-19 crisis brought travel retail and F&B to a standstill. Under his stewardship, Areas has emerged in strong shape from the pandemic, strengthening its international footprint and consolidating its position as a leading global travel restaurateur.
Today, Areas employs 24,000 people and operates more than 2,200 restaurants and stores across 11 countries. The company this week confirmed the acquisition of Travel Hospitality Services, the airport F&B division of Delaware North in the USA, a move that places Areas on track to achieve its €3 billion (US$3.5 billion) target for annual revenues in the coming years.
In a statement hailing the significance of the award, Areas said Fontana’s recognition “reflects not only his remarkable career, but also the values, vision and humanity he has brought to the business world”.
The Barcelona-headquartered company added: “The award celebrates a leader who has played a key role in shaping who we are, defining our culture with clarity, ambition and integrity. He has always believed in people, empowering teams and setting a clear example through his way of leading.
“His leadership embodies what we call the ‘Areas Spirit’ – commitment, resilience, entrepreneurship and unity – the energy that drives us every day to serve millions of travellers around the world with purpose.
“Pedro’s leadership has helped guide Areas to where it is today, and his perspective continues to influence how we move forward.”
Areas CEO Oscar Vela also paid warm tribute to Fontana via LinkedIn, saying: “Your way of leading – with serenity, vision, humility, fun, curiosity and a real trust in people – has marked the path of our company and also mine.
“You have built solid teams, you have promoted talent and you have left a way of doing things that is still very present in our day-to-day lives.
“The Areas spirit we all share exists in large part, thanks to you: that mix of ambition, respect, work and humanity that has guided this organisation for so many years.
“Congratulations on this recognition. We are proud to continue this journey with you.” 
