Tag Archives: Julia Simpson

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed the biggest names in the travel and tourism industry as headline speakers for its milestone 25th Global Summit in Rome. Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO, OMRAN Group, Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International are among the glittering line-up of some of the most influential figures shaping the future of the sector. From the 28 – 30 September, the Eternal City will play host to a gathering of global business leaders from across business, government, and media, as the Global Summit returns to Europe in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT (the Italian national tourist board), the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region.  Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to have such a distinguished group of speakers already confirmed for our Global Summit in Rome. “The Eternal City provides a perfect backdrop for a Summit where the world’s Travel & Tourism leaders will gather to innovate, collaborate, and drive a decade of exceptional, sustainable growth.” Taking place at the iconic Auditorium Parco della Musica, the event will set the stage for high-impact debates and bold commitments on the issues defining Travel & Tourism. From the game-changing potential of AI to shaping the future of a sector that generates 10% of global GDP. The first confirmed speakers include: Minor Hotel Group, Founder & Chairman, William E. Heinecke Virtuoso, Founder & CEO, Matthew Upchurch Trip.com Group, CEO, Jane Sun, CEO TBO.Com, Co-Founder, Gaurav Bhatnagar Diriyah Company, Group CEO, Jerry Inzerillo MSC Cruises, Executive Chairman of Cruise, Pierfrancesco Vago Arsenale Spa, CEO, Paolo Barletta IC Bellagio, CEO – Sole Founder, Andrea Grisdale The Bicester Collection, Chair & Global Chief Merchant, Desiree Bollier Marriott International, CEO, …

As Travel & Tourism enters the height of the summer season, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new report calling for a more balanced approach to managing tourism in popular destinations. While overcrowding is often seen as a tourism problem, many of the real pressures come from deeper issues such as underinvestment in infrastructure, poor planning, and fragmented decision-making. These challenges affect both residents and visitors and need joined-up solutions. Travel & Tourism supports one in every 10 jobs and nearly 10% of global GDP and is set to support one in three new jobs over the next decade. When managed well, it also fosters cultural exchange, global understanding, and environmental protection. But without smart planning, the benefits it brings could be at risk. WTTC’s paper, Managing Destination Overcrowding: A Call to Action, explains that there’s no simple fix to the problem and urges governments, local leaders, and businesses to work together to support both communities and visitors. In 2024, Travel & Tourism is expected to contribute nearly $11TN to the global economy and support 357MN jobs. That’s a huge success but it also means destinations must plan to manage growth responsibly. Annually, governments around the world accrue more than $3.3TN from Travel & Tourism businesses, equivalent to 9.6% of global tax revenues. The global tourism body urges governments to reinvest this sum in vital infrastructure, and solutions to relieve pressures on already very popular destinations. The report looks at some of the root causes of overcrowding in a small number of increasingly popular destinations across Europe and offers real-world solutions that can be tailored to local needs. From using better data and planning tools, to …

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in the UAE, with new peaks achieved across key metrics including the sector’s GDP contribution, jobs and visitor spend. Last year, the sector grew by more than a quarter (26%) to contribute a record-breaking AED 220BN to the UAE’s GDP representing 11.7% of the entire economy. This exceeded the previous record set in 2019 by almost 15% and underscores the sector’s pivotal role in the nation’s economic framework. Jobs supported by Travel & Tourism grew by 41,000 to reach more than 809,000, representing one in nine jobs in the country. Although the jobs lost during the pandemic were fully recovered in 2022, today’s announcement shows sector jobs have now increased 11% since the 2019 highpoint. The UAE’s Travel & Tourism sector is now soaring past all previous records, testament to the country’s commitment to attracting tourists from around the world to destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah. While domestic visitor spending fully recovered in 2022, it continued to grow last year to reach more than AED 55.5BN which is almost 40% higher than 2019. International visitor spending surged by almost 40% in 2023 to reach over AED 175BN, 12% above 2019 levels, reflecting the UAE’s enduring appeal as a top global tourism destination. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said; “The UAE’s Travel & Tourism sector has not only recovered; it soared to new heights, establishing itself as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic landscape. “The remarkable growth in both employment and visitor spending is a testament to the UAE’s strategic vision and commitment to enhancing its Travel …