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Travel Talk Radio
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For Immediate Release
Click here for archives of program with Don Ahl

According to the National Tourism Safety and
Security Conference held in mid May, it's no accident that Las Vegas is one of the safest cities in the world.

For years the month of May has been designated by the travel industry as National Tourism Month but perhaps more than any other year, consumers are becoming aware of this Industry born celebration. Generally, most observers believe that National Tourism Month is a time to crack open the summer vacation planning book and if you're lucky, perhaps steal away for a weekend during the month to enjoy our beautiful world.

I'd have to agree it's a perfect time to take a few days off from the long winter, take a trip the desert and breath the soft winds of spring. It's also a time to celebrate this incredible industry of tourism and realize the importance of one our most precious freedoms of travel. In my case, I decided to mix it up with a little fun and a little work by attending an important gathering of the countries most qualified security specialists. And what better city to study security and enjoy the desert sunshine than Las Vegas in May!

The 12th Annual National Tourism Safety and Security Conference hosted by the Safety and Security department of the Las Vegas Conventions and Visitors Authority was held for 3 days in mid May at the Excalibur Hotel. Don Ahl the director of safety and security for the Las Vegas Authority, created the conference 12 years ago in order to establish processes and educational opportunities for all global communities who are involved and concerned with the security and tourism industry.

Perhaps no where in the country is there a more able-bodied group of law enforcement agencies and tourism agencies that work together than Las Vegas. The city welcomes over 35 million people every year who leave behind billions of dollars to the city and state economy. Because the economy is so dependent on tourism, it is no accident that Las Vegas is a model city in providing security for it's guests.

The attendees of the annual conference represented travel products, destinations and law enforcement agencies. They gathered from around the world to hear how Vegas and other cities like Orlando, FL, Anaheim, CA and Honolulu, HI have collaborated to provide exceptional communication between venues and safety specialists.

Between cups of coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner, high-ranking presenters covered terrorism from every angle of travel including the likes of Dr. Peter Tarlow, a well known sociologist specializing in the impact of crime and terrorism in the tourism industry. Speaking about the importance of managing risks at each venue, Dr. Tarlow's study broke down the priorities and processes that add protection and promote the freedom to travel. He also helped attendees identify their business strengths and weaknesses with a formula that was brilliantly assembled. Another presenter, Jeffrey K. Beatty one of the countries leading specialist in biological weapons and terrorism has served in three elite counterterrorism units, Delta Force, FBI HFT and CIA Counterterrorism Center. Jeff a dynamic speaker and now president of his own security company, TotalSecurity.US has written anti-terrorism action plans for the American Trucking Associations and the American Bus Association. And from what I gathered from old time attendees, he was true to form giving a stunning presentation that proved to be one of the favorites of the conference.

Other formative presenters included a segment on Tourism and Law by Peter Carlisle, Esq, Chief Executive Department of the Prosecuting Attorney City and Country of Honolulu. Mr. Carlisle gave examples of how the state of Hawaii protects its visitors and citizens starting with the "Broken Window" mentality. This concept was born on the East Coast and has proven that small problems left unattended lead to violent behavior. Siting examples in Honolulu we were able to see the difference in real numbers how a community is transformed. Wiping out small problems and public annoyances like illegal street vendors and prostitution creates a major impact on guests as well as the economy.

Was this a conference I would attend again? Absolutely, and I would recommend it to my colleagues. There was realistic, hard hitting information that reminded me of two very important factors, we travelers need to be ever vigilant to our surroundings and we as travel industry experts must be committed to world peace and believe strongly that our freedom of travel is priceless. It's true that the war on Terrorism is scary and still waging, yet I can't help but feel just a little safer after sharing 3 days with this impressive mix of security specialists.

If you are interested in learning more about next years conference please call Gayle Suppe at the Las Vegas Authority at 702 892 7404. Or if you would like to hear an interview with Don Ahl on Travel Talk Radio, please go to: http://www.traveltalkradio.com/archives_may18_03.html

written by Sandy Dhuyvetter, executive producer and host of Travel Talk Radio
sandy@traveltalkradio.com

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