WTTC Building Bridges To A Sustainable Future
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled details of a milestone event that promises to reshape the contours of the global travel and tourism sector. “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future” is the theme of the WTTC’s 23rd Global Summit taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, 2023.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “This Global Summit is a rallying cry for leaders, innovators, and change-makers from all corners of the globe to come together and craft a new vision for the sector.”
Simpson noted that: “It’s an unparalleled opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping a sector that is not only resilient but is also committed to the principles of sustainability and inclusivity.”
It is the first time the event has been held in Africa and the WTTC’s boss said that: “Africa is the perfect venue for our Global Summit, as the sector embarks on a significant new chapter. Africa has the world’s youngest population and by 2033, $1 in every $13 created in Africa, will come from Travel & Tourism and 1 in 17 jobs will be in Travel & Tourism. This demonstrates the huge potential the continent’s sector has for new jobs and new economic growth for young people across Africa.”
Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, said: “We are proud to host the first ever WTTC Global Summit in Africa. This important gathering may be taking place in Rwanda, but it is for the continent. Africa has some of the most spectacular tourism experiences and properties in the world, and the sector will play a significant role in the continent’s continued economic development.
“We look forward to welcoming the world to Kigali, building bridges across the tourism and travel industry, and co-designing a sustainable future so the sector can achieve its full potential.”
With sessions on resilience and sustainable growth, the growing impact of AI and understanding new and emerging markets, the Global Summit is set to cover the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The latest Economic Impact Research from the global tourism body reveals a staggering 10 year forecast for Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector. In 2033, WTTC predicts that the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute more than $300BN to Africa’s economy and jobs in the sector will grow significantly, reaching more than 36MN in total.
In Rwanda, WTTC is forecasting that by 2033 the travel and tourism sector will contribute more than $2.1 billion to the national economy and will support almost 568,000 jobs. This is testament to Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable tourism, diversifying the experiences it offers, and promoting awareness of its rich biodiversity, culture and heritage, and art.
For more, go to www.wttc.org and for more on Rwanda, check out www.visitrwanda.com.
