Collaboration Key To Recovery Of Industry: WTTC
In a speech to the G20 Tourism Ministers, the president & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Julia Simpson said that although travel and tourism is recovering following over two years of pain, enhanced collaboration between the public and private sector is needed now more than ever if we are to achieve a full recovery and ensure a sustainable future.
During the meeting in Bali, Indonesia, Simpson made it clear that travel and tourism is central to the world’s economic recovery as it is set to grow at double the speed of the global economy over the next 10 years.
As the current holder of the G20 Presidency, Indonesia is focusing on the need to create a more inclusive and sustainable foundation for growth, carrying the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”.
The G20 Tourism Ministers have focused their conversation on a “People-Centred recovery” that will benefit communities and SME’s.
In its latest research, WTTC reported that while COVID-19 had devastating effect on Travel & Tourism, the future looks bright with the creation of more than 126 million jobs globally over the next decade.
According to that research, two thirds of these jobs will be created in G20 countries, producing 82 million Travel & Tourism jobs by 2032.
However, while travellers are beginning to discover the world once again and demand is on the rise, WTTC says challenges remain.
During her address to G20 leaders, Simpson observed that: “Travel and tourism is seeing green shoots of recovery. The world, with some exceptions, is travelling again.”
She continued: “However, the recovery could be hampered by economic headwinds. Rising energy prices, cost of living, labour shortages, airspace restrictions, and, of course, climate change, all threaten the full of recovery of our sector.”
And WTTC’s boss pointed out that: “In order to unlock its full potential and achieve the long-awaited recovery, the public and private sector must join forces and collaborate more than ever.”
