Second Jerusalem International Tourism Summit concluded
Jerusalem : The Second Jerusalem International Tourism Summit, a top international tourism event,concluded at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on May 29 , 2013.
This year a special emphasis was placed on Urban Tourism as well as Innovative Technologies in the world of tourism and travel. Global leaders, academics and experts in the field of hospitality discussed a wide range of issues affecting the tourism industry, and a special panel focused on technology in tourism, including tourism-related ‘apps’.
” We have doubled the number of tourists in the last few years from 1.5 million to 3 million per year and we need to double this number again and continue its growth. Our goal is to reach 10 million tourists a year in a decade.”, said the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu at the Second Jerusalem International Tourism Summit.
The Second Jerusalem International Tourism Summit of 2013 is initiated by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Tourism, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Jerusalem Development Authority in cooperation with the Hebrew University and the Jerusalem International Convention Center.
Netanyahu stated that “The Israeli economy leads the OECD in growth, creation of new jobs, and low unemployment. Israel is in a good economic position to address the challenges ahead. There is great potential in multiplying the number of tourists arriving to Israel, which will generate additional jobs.”
Netanyahu added “Jerusalem is an exceptional city, the city of King David and King Solomon, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were all here and billions of tourists can relate to that. A city that blends the past into the future. We want to combine the future with the vibrant past. In order to do so we need basic things – we are currently building 5,000 rooms and hotels in Jerusalem and Israel.”
Minister of Economy, Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs, Naftali Bennett, said “We have a unique government. Our goal is to show this incredible asset – Jerusalem. And we are talking business. Three million tourists out of a billion potential is quiet low. We can do much more.”
Similarly, Sheldon Adelson, the resort developer, received an honorary award on innovation and excellence in global tourism at the Second Jerusalem International Tourism Summit.
The award was presented today, May 28th, by the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Uzi Landau, in presence of thousands of local and international representatives with in the tourism industry.
The Jewish American entrepreneur Sheldon Adelson received an honorary award for innovation and excellence in global tourism. Mr. Adelson, the Chairman of the Las Vegas Sands, is the head of an empire attracting close to a billion tourists a year. It includes successful projects in Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Macau and many more. He has invested over 30 billion dollars in tourism projects across the globe and has changed tourism in three continents.
Mr. Adelson was born in the United States to Jewish immigrants and will be celebrating his 80th birthday this year.
For further information : Omri Benhann/Liel Edry Eden Communications
