Action framework for tourism crisis preparedness

During a Crisis: Ensuring Effective Response & Coordination

24 April, 2025
Online

This session will examine best practices for real-time crisis management, emphasizing emergency communication, crisis coordination, and incident response strategies. Discussions will focus on ensuring clear and effective communication with tourists, businesses, and authorities, as well as strengthening coordination at local, national, and regional levels for swift intervention. Participants will also address cross-border and multi-stakeholder collaboration in managing transnational tourism crises and explore strategies for efficient resource allocation during emergencies. The session will conclude with recommendations on standardized crisis response protocols and enhanced coordination mechanisms.

Speakers

Louis Bernard, founded Crisotech in 2010

He has extensive experience in risk prevention and crisis governance across a wide range of fields.

He worked for the crisis unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notably on the repatriation of French nationals from Côte d'Ivoire in 2004. At AXA Assistance, he supervised the implementation of crisis management procedures. The procedures he drafted were used for the repatriation of French nationals from Lebanon in 2006 and for managing families following the crash of AF 447 in 2009, in collaboration with the relevant ministries. Within the GEOS group, he has organized logistical support for several complex missions (Gaza, Nigeria, Afghanistan, electoral observation missions, etc.) and has been involved in the governance of various crises (kidnappings, security arrangements, etc.).

He is the author of Lexique Managérial (2012, Voilier d'Arbren), the special issue of Revue Management entitled Mieux Négocier, and Guide pratique de formation par la simulation : On n'a jamais appris à faire du vélo dans un livre (2014, VA Press). He is also the co-author of La Gestion de crise illustrée: Les leçons de la Crise des missiles de Cuba (VA Press, 2016). In addition, he has contributed to the script of several risk management awareness serious games and has designed hundreds of crisis exercises.

He is an auditor for the National Session on Strategic Crisis Management at the Institut des Hautes Études de Sécurité et de Justice (INHESJ). In 2016, he completed the Corporate Safety and Security Management program at ESCP Europe. In 2019, he obtained an MBA Essentials from the London School of Economics. He teaches international negotiation at IRIS and crisis management at HEC.

In 2021, he contributed as a UN Tourism expert to the drafting of the White Paper on Safety and Security in the Tourism Sector, a key tool aimed at strengthening crisis preparedness and risk management within global tourism. This publication serves as a crucial reference for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and destination managers seeking to enhance the resilience of the tourism sector in the face of security challenges.

Lastly, Louis is an associate expert for the 24-hour news channel France 24 (French and English), where he provides expert insights on terrorism, hostage-taking, intelligence, state crisis management, and aviation security.

Mr. Duccio Mazarese, Program Officer, UNICRI

Mr. Duccio Mazarese is currently Programme Officer on Major Events Security/Protection of Vulnerable Target of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)

Since 2008, he has been working for UNICRI within the Security Governance / Counter Terrorism Unit. Prior to that, he joined as a consultant other international and non-governmental organization as well as private companies. Mr. Mazarese received his LL.B degree from the University of Turin (Italy) in 2001, a Master’s Degree in Management of Development from the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003 and an LL.M degree from the University of California (USA) in 2007.

Ms. Andrea Rodríguez Panagiotopoulos, Program Manager, UNOCT

Andrea is a Programme Management Officer at the UN Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT) since 2022, focusing on countering terrorist threats against vulnerable targets in Africa

Previously, she spent seven years at the Organization of American States (OAS) supporting border control and tourism security programs across Latin America and the Caribbean. Her background includes managing youth development projects and working as a journalist in Caracas, Venezuela. She holds a Bachelor's in Mass Communications from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and a Master’s in Global Policy from Johns Hopkins University (SAIS).

Mr. Peter Jordan, Head of Insights, TOPOSOPHY

Peter is a strategist and researcher specialized in sustainable tourism planning, destination development, and consumer trends. He’s frequently to be found presenting our insights through keynote presentations and workshops and through our podcast series Common Ground.

Since 2014, Peter has been working as a Senior Project Manager, leading TOPOSOPHY’s international projects, and responsible for managing diverse strategy and research projects for clients in multiple countries. In recent years his work has focused largely on leading our market studies and handbooks for clients such as the European Travel Commission and delivering thought leadership workshops and presentations to the City Destinations Alliance.