Chairman of the Jerusalem Development Authority, Moshe Lion, Minister of Tourism of the State of Israel, Dr. Uzi Landau, Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, Dr. Miriam Adelson, Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Mr. Sheldon Adelson, Taglit-Birthright participants,

Sheldon Adelson has received an honorary award for his efforts to change the face of tourism around the world. The business magnet was praised for his contribution to travel and tourism at the second Jerusalem International Tourism Summit 2013 taking place today.

Adelson’s career spans more than six decades and includes the creation of over 50 different companies, including the Las Vegas Sands Corporation and the COMDEX tradeshow for the computer industry.

The Las Vegas Sands Corporation has become the leading global developer of destination properties that feature premium accommodations, world-class gaming and entertainment, convention and exhibition facilities.

In Las Vegas, Adelson is widely credited for helping transform the city from a gamingcentric regional location into the leading convention and exhibition city in the United States.

Businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Adelson may be the biggest draw at the two day Summit which opened today, bringing together world-class leaders from travel and tourism.

Taking place at the Jerusalem International Convention Center the event will feature leaders of the tourism industry, who will discuss the latest groundbreaking technologies and trends introduced by key players in the tourism world.

“This year, a special emphasis will be placed on urban tourism, as well as innovative technologies in the world of tourism and travel,” the summit’s organizers said in a statement.

“Global leaders, academics and experts in the field of hospitality will conduct panels discussing a wide range of issues affecting the tourism industry.”

Organizers said the summit would focus on innovative technologies that offer a “glimpse into the world of application technologies and how they can be used to expand urban tourism.”

The event will leverage Israel as a Start-Up Nation and Jerusalem as a leader of technology.

A special panel will focus on technology in tourism, including tourism-related apps.

Panel topics at the conference include: “Planning Models for Urban Tourism,” “Tourism as a Tool for Urban Economic Development,” “The Smartphone Revolution and the Impact on Users and Managers of Urban Tourism,” “New Transportation Paradigms and the Future of Urban Tourism,” “Follow the Asian Success Story,” “Intangible Heritage and Urban Tourism Development, Sport and Urban Tourism,” and “Hotel Development in Historic Cities.”

The summit will also be holding a competition for the best tourism application, featuring app submissions from over 20 entrepreneurs.

Take a look at the list of speaks signed up for the event, here.