Tourism as an integral part of the shared DNA that unites cities
After almost 3 years without an in-person conference, European Cities Marketing (ECM) members will finally reunite on March 30-April 2, 2022 in Hamburg for ECM International Conference & General Assembly.
In those dark times, ECM is strongly condemning unilateral attacks on Ukraine and recently decided to suspend membership from Russian cities to ECM until further notice. ECM is highly determined to keep its community strong and united, as destinations, as professionals, as friends and colleagues throughout its cities and nations, all over the European continent.
If anything, the pandemic has shown that there is a need to reconnect travel and tourism to the needs and wishes of local habitats, but also to the big global agendas where tourism holds the potential to make a positive difference. There is a broader horizon for Destination Management Organisations than that of travel and tourism in itself. The reason to be for DMOs is not just to grow tourism, but to do so with purpose, people and planet.
Coming together once again to create and shape the new narratives of urban tourism
The first day of Re-United Destinations will be a special moment of coming together once again to create and shape the new narratives of urban tourism and city destinations. Attendees will learn how branding and communication can create a global movement, and how destination campaigns can protest censorship and reunite Europe. They will get inspiration from a hotel, where you do good in your sleep. They will see as we reimagine the career appeal of the tourism sector – a people business short on people, and help explore the changes of community impact and involvement accelerated by the pandemic. Finally, they will dive into collective judgment, as we put sustainability on trial and explore the new ecosystems of events and their legacies.
On the second day of the ECM International Conference, attendees will dive into the ECM Trend Roomdiscussion on how cities can adapt to continuously be healthy places to both live and visit. They will then join Digital Destinations to seek out the potential of digital and new technologies for better destination management, stronger local connection and social DNA. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover the invisible treasures of local experiences and everyday life in their city – and how to make them visible without compromising their immaterial quality. Finally, they will explore their potential for regenerative leadership and set their course as destination leaders towards a future, where the visitor economy serves an important role in developing holistic solutions for thriving and inclusive cities.
Registrations for #ReUnitedDestiNations are open on ECM Website: www.europeancitiesmarketing.com.