Key Players and Relevance of the Event
Rome, Italy. The 25th annual meeting of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) commenced on Monday, September 29th, in Rome, Italy. This prestigious gathering brings together 300 CEOs from leading global tourism companies, with Italy being the first G7 nation to host this event. The significance of this meeting lies in its potential to revitalize the tourism sector, which contributes €237 billion to Italy’s GDP.
Opening Remarks and Challenges Faced by Italy
The event was inaugurated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing the importance of reviving tourism in Italy. Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè highlighted some of the challenges faced by Italy, including over-tourism in select destinations like Rome, Milan, Florence, and Venice. However, she noted that 94% of Italy’s territory does not receive the number of tourists it deserves.
Public-Private Sector Collaboration
Santanchè also stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between public and private sectors. An example of this is improving the traveler experience upon entering a country, which will be discussed at the WTTC meeting. The event will also explore best practices and ways to minimize friction without compromising security and immigration policies.
Key Participants and Their Roles
The return of Gloria Guevara Manzo, a prominent figure in global tourism organizations, marks her participation as interim CEO of the WTTC. Guevara previously led the organization. Mexico will also send Braulio Arzuaga, CEO of Grupo Presidente, and Gibran Chapur, representing one of the largest hotel groups in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula with growing presence in the Dominican Republic.
Leadership Transition and Agenda
The WTTC will experience a leadership transition, with Italian Manfredi Lefebvre succeeding Canadian Greg O’Hara as president. The agenda includes addressing the digital transformation of tourism and sustainability challenges.
Labor Perspectives in Tourism Report
An essential part of the meeting is the presentation of a report on labor prospects in tourism, an industry that is one of the largest employers of women and young people globally. The report indicates positive outlooks, as global tourism GDP continues to grow at a rate exceeding the global PIB increase.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of this WTTC meeting in Rome? Italy’s first G7 hosting of this event aims to revitalize the tourism sector, which contributes significantly to its economy.
- Who are the key participants and what roles do they play? Gloria Guevara Manzo returns as interim CEO, while Italy’s Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, discusses over-tourism challenges. Mexico will send representatives Braulio Arzuaga and Gibran Chapur.
- What topics will be addressed during the meeting? The WTTC will tackle over-tourism, public-private sector collaboration, digital transformation, and sustainability in tourism.
- What is the labor outlook in the tourism sector? The industry remains a major employer of women and young people, with positive growth prospects as global tourism GDP continues to rise.
