WTTC Global Summit in Malta brings together more than 100 industry leaders - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

More than 100 senior figures from tourism, government and international organisations will gather in Malta for the 26th WTTC Global Summit. Held in Valletta under the theme FUTU[RE]SET, the event will bring together executives, ministers, policymakers and destination leaders to discuss the forces reshaping the global travel industry.

The programme is organised around eight strategic priorities identified by the World Travel & Tourism Council. These include seamless travel, destination stewardship, sustainability, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, crisis preparedness, connectivity, workforce development and investment.

Discussions will range from digital identity at borders and AI in travel to mobility, resilience and the next wave of tourism investment. The programme will also examine luxury and wellness travel, India's emergence as a major tourism market, Europe's competitiveness and the growing importance of accessible travel.

Governments and business at one table

A central part of the summit will be the Global Leaders Dialogue. Rather than relying on a sequence of formal speeches, two moderated sessions will each bring together eight ministers and four global CEOs to discuss the future competitiveness of travel and tourism.

The speaker line-up reflects the breadth of the industry. Confirmed executives include Hilton President and CEO Christopher J. Nassetta, IHG Hotels & Resorts Global CEO Elie Maalouf, Accor Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin, Trip.com Group CEO Jane Sun and Four Seasons President and CEO Alejandro Reynal. Leaders from MSC Group, Marriott International, Minor International, Dubai Airports, Capital A, ITA Airways, Amadeus and other major tourism businesses will also participate.

Government representatives include tourism ministers and senior officials from markets such as Spain, Italy, South Africa, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, India, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Mexico will be represented by tourism officials from Quintana Roo and Jalisco.

“The WTTC Global Summit brings together an extraordinary range of voices at a moment when Travel & Tourism is being reshaped by AI, technology, changing traveller expectations, geopolitics and new patterns of investment and growth,” said WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara.

New focus on talent and SMEs

The Malta summit will also see the launch of the WTTC Youth Movement. Around 90 students and ten professors from 16 partner institutions, representing more than 30 nationalities, are expected to participate.

The initiative is designed to connect young people directly with industry leaders and encourage greater interest in tourism careers. Participants will join summit discussions and networking activities and contribute to a youth-led Malta Declaration.

Small and medium-sized tourism businesses will form another part of the agenda. WTTC plans to accelerate its Together in Travel initiative, which aims to connect and support SMEs through practical tools, industry insights and networking opportunities. According to WTTC, smaller businesses account for around 85 percent of the global travel and tourism community.

The summit will close with a review of the themes and commitments emerging from the discussions. WTTC will also announce the host destination for its 2027 Global Summit in Valletta.

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