Rob Davidson

Biographie

Rob Davidson, après avoir vécu près de 10 ans en France, est Senior Lecturer à l’Université de Westminster à Londres et intervient à SKEMA dans le domaine du "business tourism" depuis plus de 5 ans. Spécialiste du tourisme d’affaires, il est également auteur d’articles et de livres comme "Planning and Tourism Development" ou plus récemment de « Marketing Destinations and Venues for Conferences, Conventions and Business Events ». Rob Davidson est consultant auprès de diverses organisations au Royaume Uni et à l’étranger et, depuis 2002, analyste tourisme d’affaires auprès de "Reed Travel Exhibitions". Il présente chaque année à Barcelone (EIBTM) son rapport sur les tendances du secteur des conférences et de l’incentive.

Rob Davidson sur skemaexpert.net

• Intervenant lors du 6ème petit déjeuner du Cycle Innovation et Connaissance: "Responsabilité environnementale des entreprises du tourisme d'affaires" - Télécharger la présentation
• Présentation du livre: "Planning and Tourism Development"
• Rob Davidson Press Release
• "Rob Davidson decorated for "outstanding services to tourism in Poland""

Interview

Interview performed during the EIBTM 2007 by Mady Keup for the Center of Expertise "Tourism Management" (CE)

Rob Davidson, recorded at EIBTM , Barcelona on Wednesday 28th November 2007

SKEMA Expert (CE): Rob can you just talk to us about your involvement with EIBTM and also about why one could call you an industry guru.

Rob Davidson (RD): Well, I have been working for EIBTM for the past 5 years and my title for them is the EIBTM Industry Analyst. As an academic they employ me every year to research the most recent trends in the conference industry and to produce a report which is launched every year at the EIBTM show. The report is designed to help practitioners plan ahead because it involves looking at all the most recent trends and what is happening in the market over the next twelve months.

CE: Most definitely an industry guru in that case! The other aspect of course is that you are designing and teaching business tourism courses, European-wide and world-wide. Why do you think this is an important aspect for both people who are looking for further education and for practitioners who are already in the business? Why would it be important to continue with their education?

RD: I think it is extremely important because what we are seeing in the business tourism industry is a process of professionalisation where young people in universities are deliberately choosing to study this subject because they understand the importance of the conference industry and they have made it their ambition to enter the industry. So they want to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills that they need to enter the industry immediately and to understand how it works, and the main stakeholders in the industry and the impact that the conference industry has on the economy, on the environment. And these are all subjects that we teach at SKEMA and the University of Westminster.

CE: Thank you very much. And just lastly, could you talk to us briefly about this important trend that is Corporate Social Responsibility, especially with a view to business tourism.

RD: Yes, CSR is an element that has moved up the list of priorities. A few years ago it was something nice to have but these days CSR has become an absolutely essential element of any event or any conference. And I am convinced that what is driving this is the new generation of delegates and participants in such events. These are young people who absolutely care about the quality of the environment and the quality of living of the people who stay in the destinations where the events are held. These days it is impossible to organise an event without taking full recognition of Corporate Social Responsibility.

CE : Thank you very much, Rob Davidson

Liens

• Download the interview with Rob Davidson by Mady Keup (mp3)