The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) convened its landmark Global Leaders’ Dialogue during its 25th WTTC Global Summit in Rome today, bringing together government ministers and global CEOs to tackle some of the sector’s most pressing challenges.
The Dialogue opened with remarks from WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara and the Italian Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, who underscored the importance of stronger public-private partnerships to safeguard the future of Travel & Tourism.
A roundtable setting saw candid exchanges between public and private sector leaders sharing priorities, concerns, and solutions.
Europe’s Lessons for the World
The first session highlighted Europe’s enduring position as the world’s most visited region, with discussions focusing on how its blend of cultural heritage, infrastructure, and sustainability can inspire global best practice.
According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Report, Europe’s Travel & Tourism sector is forecast to break new records in 2025 and contribute €2.6TN to the continent’s GDP in 2025, representing one in 10 euros. The sector is also projected to support 41.3MN jobs, one in 10 workers across Europe, setting another new record.
During the high-level discussions, leaders addressed:
Strategies to differentiate Europe amid growing competition from other regions
Balancing how destinations can innovate while preserving authenticity and driving sustainability
Lessons from navigating Europe’s multi-layered governance frameworks
Speakers pointed to pioneering sustainability initiatives, innovative destination management strategies, and new product development as critical to Europe’s continued success in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
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Towards Seamless Travel
The second session turned the spotlight to the global movement of people, focusing on how to remove barriers and deliver smoother journeys across borders.
Discussions explored:
The impact of visa policies, border management, and biometrics on travel flows
Tailored approaches to improve travel for different groups, from young travellers to those with accessibility needs
Best practice examples that have streamlined visitor flows and boosted tourism growth, particularly in emerging destinations
Speakers called for stronger collaboration between governments and industry on digital solutions such as e-visas, biometric identification, and integrated payment and connectivity systems to transform the travel experience from planning through to arrival.
Driving Collective Action
Throughout both sessions, delegates emphasised the need for mutual support and shared responsibility between governments and businesses to ensure Travel & Tourism remains a driver of economic growth, cultural exchange, and global connectivity.
WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara said: “Today’s Dialogue underlined the incredible value of bringing governments and industry together at the same table.
“From Europe’s lessons on sustainability and competitiveness, to global solutions for seamless travel, it’s clear that through partnership, we unlock the sector’s full potential.”
The Global Leaders’ Dialogue remains a cornerstone of the WTTC Global Summit, providing an unrivalled forum for shaping the future of Travel & Tourism through open and action-oriented discussion.
Speakers from the private sector included:
– WTTC Chair and Certares, Founder & Senior Managing Director, Greg O’Hara
– WTTC Chair-Elect, Heritage Group/Abercrombie and Kent Travel Group, Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio
– Accor, Chief Strategy Officer and CEO Orient Express, Gilda Perez Alvarado
– Hilton, President EMEA, Simon Vincent CBE
– IC Bellagio, CEO & Sole Founder, Andrea Grisdale
– Lizard Renewables, Chair, Massimo Ponzellini
– The Travel Corporation, CEO Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Ellen Bettridge
– ANT International, President, Douglas Feagin
– Destination Canada, President & CEO, Marsha Walden
– Indian Hotel Company, CEO, Puneet Chattwal
– VFS Global, Founder & CEO, Zubin Karkaria
– Zurich Cover-More Global Travel Inc, President & CEO, Jeffrey Rutledge
Speakers from the public sector included:
– EU MEP, Daniel Attard
– Italy President of the Parliamentary Group, Senate of the Republic, Sen. Michaela Biancofiore
– Malta Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Foreign Affairs & Tourism, Hon. Ian Borg
– Bulgaria Minister of Tourism, Hon. Miroslav Borshosh
– Portugal Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce & Services, Hon. Pedro Machado
– Turespaña, Director General, Miguel Sanz
– Bahamas, Director General for The Islands of the Bahamas, Latia Duncombe
– Japan Tourism Agency, Commissioner, Hon. Shigeki Murata
– Türkiye Ministry of Culture & Tourism, H.E. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy
The Global Summit is hosted in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT (the Italian national tourist board), the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region.
Other WTTC Partners include 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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