Jerusalem International Convention Center will host the event

Delegates have begun arriving at the Jerusalem Innovative Tourism Summit 2013, taking place today at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

The event is expected to attract travel industry leaders and innovators in the travel technology sector from around the world.

Summit 2013 will focus on cutting edge technology and its impact on the tourism industry as well as on the development of urban tourism.

This groundbreaking Summit is being hosted by the Jerusalem Municipality, in cooperation with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Prime Minister’s Office, The Ministry of Tourism, The Jerusalem International Convention Center and the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Nir Barkat, mayor of Jerusalem, noted: “Jerusalem is proud to continue the tradition of hosting the annual Jerusalem Innovative Tourism Summit, and 2013 will be the third.

“As a world leader in innovation and tourism, Jerusalem has broken numerous records for the number of foreign and domestic tourists arriving to the city.

“It is therefore most befitting for Jerusalem to host key figures in the tourism industry from around the globe and locally, as well as to present the next game-changing technological advancements that will impact the travel industry.”

Speakers will include a powerful and diverse cross section of industry leaders including Sheldon Adelson, world renowned hotelier and business magnate, and chief executive of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation; Michael Leven, president, Las Vegas Sands Corporation; Dirk Glaesser, director of the Sustainable Development Program, World Tourism Organisation; and key government tourism officials from leading tourism destinations such as Thailand, Korea, and Spain.

Also in attendance will be urban tourism experts, architects and technology innovators, including leading pioneers in the digital travel space, Expedia and TripAdvisor.

The Summit will also offer an exciting glimpse into the world of application technologies, their importance and use in expanding urban tourism.

Global leaders, academics and experts in the field of hospitality will conduct panels discussing a wide range of subjects within the tourism industry in addition to a special panel focusing on technology in tourism including tourism-related apps.