ITSS Conference in Jerusalem will showcase topics on tourism marketing and crisis communication in a turbulent world.

Speakers from UNWTO, the OECD, SmithBucklin, and TBWA are among the international speakers who have been announced as the speakers and panel leaders at the inaugural International Tourism Security Summit (ITSS), which will take place in Jerusalem this October 7-9, 2018. The new two-day conference will explore how destinations respond during turbulent times. The summit aims to provide its participants with practical knowledge and critical skills for preparing, mitigating, managing and recovering from tourism crises.

Why Jerusalem?

The conference will be held in Jerusalem, a city that over the past few decades has experienced numerous incidents of terror and conflict while maintaining its global position as an exciting tourist destination. Jerusalem is the bustling capital of Israel, a place where ancient meets modern. The city is a tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors every year, and in which tourism safety and security is part of the conversation.  

As part of the Summit, participants will explore the streets of Jerusalem to gain first-hand knowledge on what safety and security measures are being implemented, how the city tackles various security challenges, and what innovative technological solutions are being integrated throughout the city.

ITSS will bring tourism, travel and security leaders from all over the world to share their experience with how to respond to terror and other crises. Destination marketing professionals, crisis management teams, tourism and travel agencies, as well as MICE professionals, meeting and event strategists, are all invited to participate, network and learn from a packed program of speakers and mentors.

Issues to be tackled include approaching the tourism in a time of instability, destination reputation management, and recovery marketing both for the tourism in general and for the MICE industry.

The Schedule

Day 1- Monday, October 8

Panel Session: Tourism in an Era of Terror and Security Instability

During this session, four speakers will provide an up-to-date overview of global security threats and their effect on the tourism industry in OECD countries; the session will examine the role of marketing and public relations in managing proactive communication prior to, during and following a crisis.

The international speakers during this session include:

• Alain Duperyas, Head of the Regional Development and Tourism Division, OECD
• Hans Lagerweij, CEO and President, Victory Cruise Lines and Trustee at Safer Tourism Foundation, will speak about “Tourism Safety and Security, A Customer Perspective and Joint Responsibility”
• Rolf D. Freitag, CEO, IPK International will speak about “Global Travel Risk Trends – From the Perspective of International Travelers”
• Professor Eli Avraham from Haifa University will conclude the first session with a lecture on "Crisis Communication and Destination Image Repair Strategies."

 

Following the opening panel session, Dirk Glaesser, Director Sustainable Development Programme UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will deliver a keynote session.

Panel Session: Crises and the Digital Arena

During this panel session, four speakers from leading online tourism agencies will share their experience in real-time mitigation of crises and illuminate the digital impact of crises on online consumer behavior, bookings, risk perceptions, sense of security, destination image and social media conversations. 

The speakers of this panel will include:

• Andrew van der Faltz, Senior Director Business Development EMEA & APA, Expedia
• Mor Shlesinger, Engineering Manager, Google will cover the topic of "Crisis Response: Saving Lives with Data"
• Justin Reid, Director of Destination Marketing EMEA, TripAdvisor
• Merav Borenstein, VP Strategy and Innovation, Buzzilla "Virtual and Actual Crises in Tourism – Identifying, Prevention, and Handling"

After a long day of sessions, participants will enjoy a night in Jerusalem’s bustling market.

Day 2- Monday, October 9

Panel Session: Image Crises in Tourism Destinations

During this session, the speakers will offer solutions to the following questions: How are destinations marketed effectively in turbulent times? What is the best marketing recovery approach? The destinations and attractions session will focus on the real-life experience of Turkey and Jerusalem in facing security crises and the methods employed for effective and speedy recovery. The session will also look into the Chinese market responds to crises.

The fours speakers of this panel will be: 

• Ilanit Melchior, Director, Tourism Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA)
• Irfan Önal, Director General for Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey
• Roy Graff, Managing Director, Europe, Africa and Middle East (EMEA), Dragon Trail Interactive
• Michael Goldsmith, VP of Marketing, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority "It Can Happen Anywhere - Las Vegas and 1 October"

 

Continuing with the theme of marketing and public relations, the summit continues with a second-panel session on this subject. 

 

Panel Session: Public Relations and Recovery Marketing

This panel session will discuss the most effective PR strategies for recovering from a crisis. How to communicate with the media following a security incident? And how to speed up recovery? The public relations session will host some of the leading PR professionals in travel and tourism to discuss image recovery tactics, sending counter-messages to create a sense of security, re-framing media coverage, and social media as a powerful tool for battling stereotypes and altering a negative image.

• Doris Danner, VP Central Eastern Europe, Russia, Caucasus, Israel, TBWA
• Tom Buncle, Managing Director at Yellow Railroad, "Crisis Recovery for Tourism Destinations"
• Yiftah Curiel, Israeli Embassy in London, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Panel Session: Threats and Resilience in the MICE Industry

This panel session will discuss the has the MICE industry changed its marketing strategy following the recent security events? What event destinations are affected? The MICE session is devoted to PCOs and MICE professionals' reaction to crises and security threats. The session will also include a special focus on the unique experience of Japan Convention Services following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

This panel will bring the leading international MICE professionals including

• Carol McGury, Executive Vice President, Event and Education Services, SmithBucklin
• Barbara Calderwood, Divisional Director of Associations, MCI UK / IAPCO Council
• Keiko Nishimoto, Kyoto University, offering insights on Risk Management in Meeting Industry: Case Study of Triple Disasters 2011 in Japan

 

The first International Tourism Security Summit aims to provide participants with an up-to-date understanding, practical tools and powerful insights for managing a tourism business or destination during turbulent times. With a rich list of international speakers, any industry professional looking to improve their knowledge, acquire hands-on skills, and learn how top security measures are being practiced, should attend ITSS.