June 05-07, 2024
Lucerne (Switzerland)

6th Advances in Destination Management

Keynote Speakers

The conference gathers researchers and practitioners interested in key issues alongside destination management. As ADM 2024 will be organized in Switzerland, Lucerne, we would like to take this opportunity and prepare a unique, interesting conference programme based on the local and national examples. Our goal is to show the most interesting cases and best practices that we observe on the local and regional market – for example challenges that Lucerne is facing as tourism destination (e.g., overtourism) as well as solutions and projects that are conducted (such as measuring the visitor flows in Lucerne). We also want to give the participants of the conference an overview of the national initiatives such as Swisstainability programme that focuses on sustainable tourism development.  Our goal is to inspire and discuss the current and future issues and challenges within destination management.  

Keynote Speaker 1

Dr. Stephan Reinhold is Associate Professor in the Department of Marketing and Tourism Studies and Vice Dean for Education of the School of Business and Economics at Linneaus University in Sweden. He received his PhD in Management from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, where he previously worked as lecturer and researcher in the research centre for Tourism and Transport.

His research and projects focus on sustainable business models and innovation, flow-based destination management, decision-making and governance. Stephan has co-authored 50+ scientific publications, most of them related to destination management and tourism innovation. Most recently, he published “The 2022 consensus on advances in destination management” (Journal of Destination Marketing & Management) and a “State-of-the-Art Review on Destination Marketing and Destination Management” (Tourism & Hospitality). 

In his keynote speech, Stephan will deliver an introduction to contemporary challenges in destination management grounded in his recent review work with international colleagues and build a bridge to the conference’s ongoing discussion synthesised by the consensus on advances in destination management.

Keynote Speaker 2

Martin Bütikofer studied electrical engineering/business administration at the outset of his professional career. Subsequently, he gained in-depth work experience in Switzerland, the USA and the UK. Back in Switzerland, he held positions such as director of the public transportation agency of the canton of Zug, director of the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV AG) in Lucerne and director of the regional network for Swiss Federal Railways (SBB AG) in Bern.

Since 2011, Mr Bütikofer is director of the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne where he is predominantly responsible for the strategic development of this biggest and most visited museum of its kind in Switzerland. Whilst called a museum, the scope of activities featured at this institution goes far beyond of what is traditionally associated with this term. Indeed, the Swiss Museum of Transport sees itself as a full-fledged adventure park with mobility, energy and communication as core fields.

He is also a member of the board of directors of various public transport and tourism companies.

In his keynote speech, Martin will describe current challenges and opportunities within destination management in Lucerne.

Keynote Speaker 3

Romy Bacher is a key figure in Switzerland's pursuit of excellence in sustainable tourism. She joined the Swiss Travel Association (STV) as Sustainability Project Manager in January 2022. Together with her team, Romy Bacher is a driving force behind the Swisstainable sustainability program and the establishment of the Competence Center for Sustainability (KONA).

Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on "Tourism & Mobility" and a Master's degree in "Business Development & Promotion" from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Romy brings a wealth of academic expertise to her role. Having previously contributed her skills to organizations such as Obwalden Tourismus AG, Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus AG, and a Marketing & Innovations agency, Romy is dedicated to steering Switzerland's tourism industry towards a sustainable future.

In her keynote speech Romy Bacher will take us in an insightful journey into the Swisstainable program. She will present a comprehensive overview, delving into the program's current status, addressing encountered challenges and sharing key learnings. Attendees can anticipate a forward-looking perspective, gaining valuable insights into the program's achievements and its strategic vision for the future of sustainable tourism in Switzerland.

Keynote Speaker 4

Marion Joppe is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, University of Guelph. She received her doctorate in Law and Economics of Tourism from the Université de Droit, d’Economie et des Sciences d’Aix-Marseille III (France), where her research focused on government intervention in tourism, and the approaches taken by different political systems and countries.

She specializes in destination policy, planning, development, and marketing, and teaches responsible tourism on three continents. Prior to joining academia, she gained broad tourism industry experience in both the public and private sectors, holding senior positions in tourism with the Ontario Government, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, financial institutions and tour operators.