22nd WTTC Global Summit begins in Riyadh, biggest event in its history
Global tourism leaders have highlighted the importance of government partnerships in creating a “safer, more resilient, and sustainable future” for the sector during the opening panel session on the first day of the WTTC Global Summit in Riyadh.
Taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia WTTC’s highly anticipated Global Summit is the most influential Travel & Tourism event in the calendar and the largest ever Summit with nearly 3000 delegates form 140 countries participating. WTTC’s 22nd Global Summit is set to be the largest event in its history.
The panel came after an opening speech by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, who highlighted how tourism is set to create 126 million jobs in the next decade – with the sector home to one in every three new roles.
He said: “Here in Riyadh, we have gathered more tourism ministers and CEOs than ever before. Let us seize this opportunity and use it wisely. Partnership across the public and private sector must come first to push forward action that will benefit all.”
Speaking during the following panel, Princess Haifa Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Tourism, said the Kingdom is working with “one vision” as major economic transformation drives a $6 trillion program to attract 100 million domestic and international travelers annually and contribute 10% of GDP in the next decade.
Commenting on the Kingdom’s recent launch of a visa targeted at the cruise sector, she said: “We have the mindset of transforming our economy in the government as a whole. We need to be willing to learn, to see what worked, and what didn’t.
“After launching e-visas in 2019, we didn’t stop our development process. This year for example we launched the transit visa for cruise passengers and waived costs for that as well and as continue to develop we will continue to learn what need to do further.”
Princess Haifa was joined by global tourism leaders including Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, who noted that tourism “impacts all aspects of the economy” from health to innovation.
The global tourism body’s highly anticipated Global Summit is the most influential Travel & Tourism event in the calendar. Addressing media from around the world, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, has said that the event is set to break all records, with more international business leaders and foreign government delegations attending than ever before.
Speakers taking to the stage include former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, the UK’s second woman Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher, and the first to hold two of the Great Offices of State. Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will also address delegates. Actor, filmmaker, and Golden Globe winner, Edward Norton, will also speak during the Global Summit. An advocate for renewable energy and a strong supporter of the African Wildlife Foundation, Norton will take part in a unique Q&A session.
Simpson said, “Our event is bringing together many of the world’s most powerful Travel & Tourism business leaders to discuss and secure its long-term future, which is critical to economies, jobs, and livelihoods around the world.”
Under the theme “Travel for a Better Future” the event is focusing on the value of the sector, not only to the global economy, but to the planet and communities around the world.