Key Players and Context
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is set to reveal the most recent data on the global travel and tourism industry at an upcoming summit in Roma, Italy. Gloria Guevara, the interim CEO of WTTC, highlighted that the sector has been experiencing a resurgence post-pandemic, generating greater benefits for communities and employment.
About Gloria Guevara
Gloria Guevara is a prominent figure in the global travel and tourism industry, with extensive experience in public and private sectors. As interim CEO of WTTC, she plays a crucial role in shaping the industry’s future and advocating for its growth.
WTTC’s Relevance
The WTTC is a leading organization representing the global private sector of the travel and tourism industry. It conducts research, policy analysis, and advocacy to promote sustainable growth in the sector.
Industry Growth and Challenges
According to Guevara, the travel and tourism sector is experiencing significant growth worldwide, including in Europe and internationally. She mentioned that the industry has fully recovered from the pandemic, with 2021 passenger numbers matching those of 2019. However, she also noted a slight decline in travel to the United States due to its current political climate.
- Question: How is the global travel industry performing post-pandemic?
- Answer: The global travel and tourism industry is experiencing robust growth, with passenger numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels. This resurgence is evident across Europe and internationally.
Mexico’s Ambitions in Tourism
Guevara acknowledged Mexico’s aspiration to become the fifth most visited country globally by 2030, in collaboration with the private sector. This goal reflects the Mexican government’s commitment to prioritizing tourism and fostering shared prosperity through job creation.
- Question: What are Mexico’s plans for the tourism sector?
- Answer: Mexico aims to become one of the top five most visited countries by 2030, working closely with the private sector to stimulate job growth and shared prosperity.
Upcoming WTTC Summit in Rome
The upcoming summit in Roma, organized in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, the Italian National Tourism Agency (ENIT), the City of Rome, and the Lazio Region, will gather high-level executives from the global travel industry, government leaders, and innovation and sustainability experts.
- Question: What topics will be discussed at the WTTC summit in Rome?
- Answer: The summit will address key issues such as sustainability, artificial intelligence and digitalization in travel and tourism, sector resilience, industry challenges in the current context, the role of tourism as a global development driver, and transportation’s contribution to tourism growth.
Competition for Hosting the Annual WTTC Summit
Countries vying for the honor of hosting the annual WTTC summit next year include Mexico, Colombia, South Korea, China, and Greece. This competition underscores the global importance of the travel and tourism sector.
