World Travel & Tourism Council – The world’s top tourism ministers and business leaders from the private sector came together to discuss important lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic at the 21st WTTC World Summit, held in Manila, Philippines.
Ministers and business leaders participated in the event, which allowed forum participants to discuss how vital public-private partnerships are to the recovery of the sector to ensure a secure and sustainable future for this industry.
Ministers, officials and business leaders shared their thoughts on the critical need for increased cooperation and harmonization to harness the continued recovery of the global travel and tourism industry.
Reflecting on the Summit theme, ‘Rediscovering Travel’, this high-level session explored how the sector will continue to adapt to COVID-19 and emerge resilient from the pandemic.
From border closures, licensing schemes and digital solutions, attendees discussed the ups and downs of the last two years and identified lessons learned, best practices and trends and paved the way for a more resilient and sustainable travel and tourism sector.
Julia Simpson, President and CEO, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic presented some of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced. The Travel & Tourism sector was devastated by it. We were hit 18 times harder than the global economy.
“During these uncertain times and after the war in Ukraine, our sector has once again shown its heart and resilience, standing up and providing shelter, supplies and financial support.
“We have had to make the most difficult decisions, but we have also seen the true value of our sector. Our industry has used this opportunity as a catalyst for change, to ensure we move into the future in a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient way.”
Participants in the WTTC Global Leaders Dialogue, moderated by international news journalist Sharanjit Leyl, included government ministers from Bangladesh, the European Parliament, India, Japan, Maldives, the Philippines, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand and the United States.
The Philippines was represented by Her Excellency, Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism.
The private sector was represented by some of the world’s top travel and tourism business leaders, including Arnold W. Donald, President and CEO of Carnival Corporation and Chairman of WTTC, Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, Federico J. Gonzälez, President and CEO, Radisson Hotel Group, Gilda Perez Alvarado, CEO JLL Hospitality, Hiromi Tagawa, Executive Advisor JTB Corp., and Sandra García-Sanjuán, President Starlite Festival and Foundation.
Attendees also discussed what the challenges ahead are and how the sector could unlock and maximize its potential to create lasting positive impact.
