The 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit is underway in Kigali, Rwanda, running till 3rd November 2023.
This is the first time the summit is held in Africa.
The mission of the WTTC is to maximize the inclusive and sustainable growth potential of the Travel & Tourism sector by partnering with governments, destinations, communities, and other stakeholders to drive economic development, create jobs, reduce poverty and foster peace, security, and understanding in our world.
Themed “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future”, the 23rd WTTC summit will draw in industry leaders and key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s recovery and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
The 2023 dialogue is focusing on investment in sustainability.
“Framed by data and insights on investment as well as the environmental and social impact of Travel & Tourism, decision-makers will share their respective experiences and priorities in aligning investment with wider objectives related to nature, people, and communities,” WTTC said in a statement ahead of the summit.
The numerous panels which include various stakeholders in the tourism industry; Tourism Ministers, heads of tourism boards, CEOs, Tour Operators, hospitality players and Media personnel, will discuss topics including but not limited to Public-private sector partnerships, Innovation, AI and it’s print on the tourism dynamics, Community Skills Development, Investment, Global Consumer Demands, Sports Partnerships and destination marketing.
“WTTC is proud to be celebrating our prestigious Summit in Rwanda, an awe-inspiring country that has survived tragedy to build a thriving, modern nation known for its record on conservation and innovation. This is the first time WTTC Summit is held in Africa and we can’t wait,” WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson said ahead of the summit.
“Over the next few days, we will be launching a groundbreaking report featuring the potential of travel and tourism in the African continent and our latest report on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging,” Simpson said during the her opening remarks at the Summit.
According to WTTC, since the initial discussions between industry CEOs in the late 1980s about establishing a forum for business leaders in Travel & Tourism to the way it is today, the Council has had many achievements, and its role and activities have grown significantly but its core mission remains the same – to raise awareness of the full economic and social impact and potential of Travel and Tourism.
The three main messages are in keeping with the vision of the CEOs who founded the Council in 1990:
- Governments recognizing Travel & Tourism as a top priority
- Business balancing economics with people, culture and environment
- A shared pursuit of long-term growth and prosperity
Membership to WTTC now includes the entire spectrum of the Travel & Tourism industry – from airlines and airports to hotels and hospitality groups, tour operators and retail travel agents, online distributors, cruise lines, investment companies, insurance groups, and the technology industry.
Private tour operators and sector players from Uganda are attending the summit. These include; Tour Plug – represented by Ajena Jafar, Precious Gumisiriza (Mukiga Traveller), Bungee Uganda represented by Rob Davies, Hanze Tours, Tour Promoters Club among others.