Israel Ministry of Tourism Hires New Staff in North America

Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) has made three new hires in North America. 

Yael Golan is the IMOT’s new interim tourism commissioner for North America. The agency also appointed Richard Liverance as North America’s western region marketing director and Lisa McManus as business development manager (BDM) for the Midwest region. 

“This is such a critical time for the IMOT, and now more than ever, it’s important that we have experienced professionals to help us navigate the current challenges,” said Pini Shani, Deputy Director General, Head of Marketing Administration, Israel Ministry of Tourism. “We are happy to have Yael leading our North American team given her years of experience on the ground in the U.S. along with Richard and Lisa, who have so much to offer through their decades of experience.”   

Golan will oversee marketing for all IMOT’s five regional offices across the United States and Canada. She was previously tourism consul for the southern region for six years, based in Atlanta.  

In addition to becoming the interim tourism commissioner for North America, Golan will continue as director of the international hosting program. In this role, she has worked with dozens of hotels to help find housing for displaced people since the events of Oct. 7, 2023. 

Liverance is working closely with the travel trade to promote tourism to Israel in the western United States. He is based in Los Angeles and is a former pastor and Bible teacher. 

McManus is also working closely with the travel trade in 13 Midwestern U.S. states. She previously ran her own travel agency and also has a background in hospitality, marketing, and sales.