WTTC Global Summit Formally Opens within the Everlasting Metropolis

WTTC highlights Italy’s spectacular enterprise journey progress and international management

Rome, Italy: As the worldwide Travel & Tourism sector is ready for one more record-breaking yr, the eyes of the world are on Rome because the curtain is raised for the 2025 World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, an important occasion within the Travel & Tourism calendar.

The occasion opened immediately with a gap press convention on the architecturally spectacular Auditorium Parco della Musica, that includes WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara, WTTC Chair Greg O’Hara, WTTC Chair-Elect Manfredi Levebvfre, Italian Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, President of Lazio Francesco Rocca, and Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri.

Across the subsequent three days, multiple thousand delegates, together with 310 CEOs and Chairs, will discover the alternatives and challenges shaping the way forward for Travel & Tourism.

This yr’s Summit programme will embrace periods specializing in bolstering financial progress and job creation, to the ability of Artificial intelligence and seamless journey.

The occasion can even shine a light-weight on funding alternatives in Italy, and tendencies akin to wellness and sport tourism, luxurious rail journey, and the advantages of internet hosting international mega occasions.

WTTC can even be launching its newest new reviews together with Future of the Travel & Tourism Workforce, which highlights how governments, companies, and educators can work collectively to organize for the long run, and its 2025 Environmental & Impact Research.

Global Voices

The Summit will function a rare line-up of audio system, together with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who will ship the keynote at tomorrow’s opening ceremony. 

Other high-profile voices embrace Italy’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Daniela Santanchè; Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency, Ahmed Al-Khateeb; Deputy Malta Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Ian Borg; and the newly elected UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, and CEOs and Chairs from the world’s greatest Travel & Tourism companies.

WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara stated: “As we welcome the WTTC Global Summit to Rome today, Italy is not only showcasing a thriving Travel & Tourism sector, set to contribute more than €237BN to the economy this year, it’s also demonstrating true global leadership.

“From hosting the historic G7 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting last year to welcoming the world again this week, Italy is setting the benchmark for how tourism can power economies, create jobs, and inspire global collaboration.”

Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism added: “We are proud to host the WTTC summit in Italy for the first time — a sign of our Country’s renewed centrality, thanks to the work of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has restored strength, stability, and security to Italy. 

“These are essential factors that enhance our credibility on the international stage, allowing Italy to once again play a leading role globally. Italy is not only one of the most fascinating and sought-after tourist destinations in the world — holding the European record for conference tourism and leading the outdoor hospitality sector — but it also stands as a crucial hub of opportunity for the growth of the industry. 

“This summit serves as a highly strategic showcase, with the primary goal of attracting investment and highlighting the immense potential of our cultural, culinary, and landscape heritage. Furthermore, the event will foster constructive dialogue among key players in the sector, an essential element for implementing effective policies and supporting the competitiveness and growth of Italian tourism on a global scale.”

Greg O’Hara, WTTC Chair stated: “This Summit brings together the very best of our sector at a pivotal moment for global Travel & Tourism. Here in Rome, against the backdrop of Italy’s extraordinary growth story, we are reminded of the power of our industry to unite people, drive investment, and create opportunity on a scale few others can match. 

“The conversations we will have over the coming days will help chart the course for a sector that is not only breaking records but shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.”

Greg O’Hara, WTTC Chair stated: “This Summit brings together the very best of our sector at a pivotal moment for global Travel & Tourism. Here in Rome, against the backdrop of Italy’s extraordinary growth story, we are reminded of the power of our industry to unite people, drive investment, and create opportunity on a scale few others can match.

“The conversations we will have over the coming days will help chart the course for a sector that is not only breaking records but shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.”

Manfredi Lefebvre, WTTC Chair-Elect, commented: “As we gather here in Rome, my beloved city, for the WTTC Global Summit, I am reminded of the incredible potential our industry holds. Italy, with its rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit, not only stands as a beacon of tourism but also as a model for collaboration and growth. This summit is a unique opportunity for us to share insights, forge partnerships, and drive forward the agenda of sustainable development within our sector. 

“As chairman, I want to be the voice in tourism that unites us, rendering me to the service of the travel industry and WTTC’s members. Together, we can harness the collective strength of our members to ensure that tourism continues to flourish and create lasting positive impacts for communities around the globe.”

Italy within the Spotlight

Italy is having fun with a exceptional second on the world stage. 

As a G7 nation and the primary G7 nation to host the WTTC Global Summit for the reason that U.S. in 2015, Italy is showcasing its function as a worldwide tourism chief. Last yr, Italy hosted the first-ever G7 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, underlining its dedication to position Travel & Tourism on the coronary heart of worldwide coverage.

With file ranges of worldwide guests, a booming conferences and occasions trade, and rising capital funding, Italy is balancing its unrivalled cultural heritage with fashionable innovation to energy a sustainable and aggressive future.

According to WTTC’s Economic Impact 2025: Global Trends report Italy is forecast to stay among the many high ten strongest Travel & Tourism markets worldwide.

Corporate journey spending reached €28.4BN in 2024, rating Italy seventh globally, up 18% on pre-pandemic ranges. 

Travel & Tourism can also be creating actual alternatives for younger folks with 9.2% of direct jobs in Italy held by employees underneath 25, nearly double their share within the wider economic system, underscoring the sector’s function as an important employer for Italy’s subsequent era.

The sector’s GDP contribution is forecast to rise to €237.4BN in 2025, up from €228.5BN final yr, holding Italy firmly within the international high 10. Employment is anticipated to develop to three.2MN jobs, whereas worldwide customer spending is forecast to exceed €60BN this yr, securing Italy’s place among the many world’s high six locations for worldwide customer spend.

Investment confidence can also be surging, with €11.4BN in capital funding recorded in 2024, forecast to climb to €12BN in 2025, fuelling the subsequent era of long-term sector progress.

As Rome hosts the WTTC Global Summit Italy’s success story is taking centre stage, showcasing how the nation is balancing heritage and innovation to energy a sustainable tourism future.

The Global Summit is hosted in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT (the Italian nationwide vacationer board), the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region.

Other WTTC Partners embrace Antonio Lefebvre d’Ovidio Di Bolsonaro Philantrophy, Arsenale Spa, Chase Travel (JPMC), Giacomo Milano, MMGY, MSC Group, Terme di Saturnia, and Trip.com Group.

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