Tag Archives: WTTC

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb officially launched TOURISE , a bold new global platform designed to shape a new horizon and plot a shared roadmap for the next 50 years of tourism. Built for ambition and backed by vision, TOURISE will convene a dynamic cross-section of public and private sector industry giants for the first time. Visionary leaders with tourism, technology, investment, sustainability, and cultural expertise will be connected to tackle critical challenges, unlock transformative opportunities and set the agenda for a sector that is sustainable, equitable and future-focused. Along with global partners from multilateral institutions to private sector leaders, TOURISE is designed to unlock major, unprecedented deal flow, with high-value investment opportunities and access to breakthrough technologies set to be announced and activated through the platform. TOURISE is no ordinary event; it is a global platform structured for year-round impact at scale through digital collaboration, thematic working groups, and cross-sector partnerships focused on long-term sector transformation. This will include authoring a series of white papers and global indices focused on tourism, sustainability and global economy, co-developed with leading international organizations, setting new benchmarks for the tourism sector. The inaugural TOURISE Summit will take place in Riyadh from November 11 to 13, 2025. The program, which will also be livestreamed, will focus on four core themes: The Future of AI-Powered Tourism – Innovate or Fade; The Great Tourism Reset – Disruptive Business Models and Investment; Rebooting the Travel Experience – Upgrade in Progress; and Tourism that Works – for People, Planet, and Progress. A dedicated Innovation Zone will showcase breakthrough technologies and solutions from SMEs and mid to large corporations spanning AI, mobility, sustainability, and more …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Greenview have launched a Global ESG Policy Tracker that enables Travel & Tourism businesses to stay ahead of rapidly evolving ESG-related regulation and policy around the world. Developed in collaboration with Greenview, a global leader in sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data solutions for the hospitality and Travel & Tourism industries, the WTTC-Greenview Global ESG Policy Tracker offers an online interactive dashboard, alongside comprehensive coverage of regional, national-level and state-level ESG policies. Users also benefit from clear regional and thematic policy summaries, quarterly updates to ensure the latest information is always at hand, and access to a dedicated advisory group to shape future developments of the Policy Tracker. The tracker is designed to support Travel & Tourism businesses to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and integrate sustainability considerations into core business decisions. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “ESG requirements are becoming more complex and more urgent by the day, and this partnership provides an essential tool to help companies not only comply with policy, but also lead the way in responsible, future-focused Travel & Tourism. The ESG Tracker offers timely, clear and actionable insights – helping them benchmark progress, anticipate change, and deliver on their commitments.” Eric Ricaurte, Founder & CEO of Greenview, added: “We are proud to partner with WTTC on this important initiative. Our expertise in ESG policy research and content management allows us to bring high-value, practical intelligence to hospitality leaders across the globe. “Together, we’re building a resource that will drive meaningful change and support long-term resilience across the sector.” The tracker marks a major milestone in the sector’s journey towards more sustainable and transparent operations and builds on …

At a recent press briefing on the latest report to be published by WTTC, Julia Simpson – President WTTC shared that the Middle East will be a central focus in this upcoming analyses, with rapid advancements observed throughout the region. She shared, “Dubai, in particular, continues to outperform expectations. Saudi Arabia is a nation to watch, and I look forward to further engagements as we continue our global exploration. Given our recent collaborations there, and considering significant progress in employment, tourism, and infrastructure, the country’s future looks exceptionally promising. Saudi Arabia has launched an ambitious vision, with investments reportedly exceeding $100 billion and a number of pioneering initiatives underway. The country’s young, well-educated population is a driving force behind these transformative changes. I congratulate His Royal Highness the Prince and Minister of Tourism for their outstanding efforts, and commend Saudi Arabia for its strong support of the World Travel and Tourism Council. For instance, when comprehensive sustainability data was needed, the kingdom provided critical funding and expertise.”

Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group signed a strategic partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to provide industry-led and reliable data-driven insights that support the sustainable growth of the travel industry as Knowledge Partner. As part of this collaboration agreement, in which The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group also takes part, both companies will give WTTC access to their comprehensive travel intelligence databases, offering in-depth data analysis and insights on key industry trends: air connectivity, traveller’s sentiment and interests, demand profiling, accommodation supply, and event impact analysis, among others. Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Communications at WTTC, commented on the partnership, highlighting “Data-driven insights are critical to the sustainable growth of the Travel and Tourism sector. We are delighted to welcome Mabrian as a Knowledge Partner and look forward to leveraging their expertise, as well as The Data Appeal Company’s, to enhance our research and advocacy efforts.” “Joining this partnership with WTTC is a significant step in our mission to empower the travel and tourism sector with data-driven insights,” says Mirko Lalli, CEO at The Data Appeal Company. “It is also an opportunity to help industry leaders anticipate trends, optimise strategies, and drive more sustainable tourism development worldwide.” Under the agreement, signed by Mabrian with WTTC representatives in the most recent edition of ITB Berlin, WTTC’s research team will have access to the travel intelligence databases from both Mabrian and The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group and Mabrian, and their experienced pool of in-house analysts and consultants. These insights will support WTTC’s industry research initiatives, policy development, and thought leadership efforts, contributing to WTTC’s mission of fostering informed decision-making …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)  launched the second edition of its groundbreaking Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism, revealing the number of global Travel & Tourism businesses setting climate targets has surged by 27% in the past three years, with more than half now actively committed to emissions reduction. Launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report reveals, 53% of the 250 leading Travel & Tourism businesses analysed have now set climate targets, a significant increase from 42% in 2021, when the first Net Zero Roadmap was created. Among these businesses, one third have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals, underscoring their dedication to meeting rigorous emissions reduction benchmarks. Notably, the number of companies adopting SBTi targets has more than doubled since 2021, signalling an accelerated effort by the sector to align with global climate standards. Developed in collaboration with Accenture, endorsed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and supported by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this second edition of the roadmap underscores the urgency of climate action as the sector works towards net zero by 2050. Building on the foundation of the original roadmap launched in 2021 at COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, the latest edition addresses the escalating environmental impacts on tourism. It introduces an enhanced decarbonisation framework, including new target corridors to guide Travel & Tourism businesses in setting ambitious, actionable climate targets. The roadmap highlights that there is no ‘one size that fits all’ solution, as each industry faces its own challenges, with some able to meet their net zero targets earlier than others. A major focus of the updated roadmap is improving sector alignment and transparency, particularly as demand …

WTTC’s latest Environmental & Social Research (ESR), created in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, revealed that in 2023 travel & tourism accounted for 6.7% of all emissions globally, down from 7.8% in 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak. The research showcases a important achievement with the sector’s economic contribution growing faster than its environmental impact. Last year, Travel & Tourism’s contribution to global GDP almost reached pre-pandemic levels at US$9.9TN, just 4% shy of the sector’s peak. However, in 2023 global GHG emissions were 12% below the 2019 peak, with GHG intensity (emissions per unit of GDP) falling 8.4% during this period. This demonstrates the sector’s growth is becoming cleaner. “Our sector is proving that we can grow responsibly,” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO. “We’re decoupling growth from emissions – Travel & Tourism is expanding economically while lowering its environmental footprint. “This is a defining moment, proving that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand in shaping the future of global tourism. However, while we are decoupling our sector’s growth from the increase in GHG, our aim is absolute reductions. We must accelerate this progress significantly to meet the Paris climate targets. We’re on the right track, but we need to up our game.” A key driver of Travel & Tourism’s emissions is the energy used to power its operations. Although 2023 showed positive trends compared to 2019, it’s clear that there are still significant opportunities to accelerate the green transition. The increases in renewable energy use and reductions in fossil fuel reliance remain relatively modest, highlighting the need for more decisive action. In 2023, the sector’s reliance on fossil fuel energy sources (oil, coal, and natural …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism launched a new report revealing the stark impact of the pandemic on women and youth employment within the global Travel & Tourism sector. Almost 70 million people working in Travel & Tourism lost their jobs during the pandemic, but women and young people were disproportionately impacted because their roles were more likely to be in the worst affected areas such as hospitality and food services. While the sector has broadly seen a strong recovery, the ‘Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment’ report found it employed 42 million women and just over 16 million young people in 2022, notably lower than the 48.4 million women (-13%) and nearly 19 million young workers (15%) supported by the sector in 2019. While the sector remains a vital source of jobs for underrepresented groups, the report makes clear that more must be done to ensure an inclusive and equitable recovery. The report, which examines employment trends across 185 economies from 2019 to 2022, underscores the sector’s potential as a key driver of inclusive economic growth and social progress. It is critical that we learn from these hardships and implement measures to protect these groups from being disproportionately affected in future crises. According to the latest EIR data, in 2023, the Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution rose by 29.1% above pre-pandemic levels, outpacing the global average, which remained 4.1% below. Yet despite this economic rebound, the social recovery continued to lag, particularly for women and young people who remain more likely to be stuck in informal, part-time, or low-wage roles without security or growth potential. Julia …

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved an increase of 73% in the number of international tourist growth, while international tourism revenues recorded an increase of 207%, according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer report issued this week at the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Belem, Brazil. It was also shared that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tops the list of G20 countries in the indicators of the growth rate of the number of international tourists and the growth rate of international tourism revenues according to the latest data for the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2019. Several tourist destinations in the Kingdom witnessed a significant increase in the number of international tourists this year, with 17.5 million tourists during the first seven months of 2024. The Kingdom achieved a growth of 56% in the number of international tourists during 2023 compared to 2019, with 27.4 million tourists, and travel receipts recorded a historical surplus of 48 billion SAR during 2023, an annual increase of 38%. In its September report after the conclusion of the “Article IV Consultation 2024”, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the unprecedented achievements made by the Kingdom’s tourism sector under Saudi Vision 2030. Diversifying the economic sectors, in which travel and tourism emerged as the most important – recording the highest level in the number of visitors, spending, job creation and contribution to GDP. These achievements reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination, and the continuous growth in the number of inbound tourists reflects in the Kingdom’s attractive options and diversity for visitors.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)launched its 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report where it was shared that many key destinations will profit from a surge in international spending this year compared to pre-pandemic levels, with Saudi Arabia up 91.3% compared to 2019, Türkiye (+38.2%), Kenya (+33.3%), Colombia (+29.1%) and Egypt (+22.9%) leading the way. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “As we look forward to a record-breaking 2024, it’s clear that Travel & Tourism is not only back on track, but also set to achieve unprecedented growth. We will continue to prioritise sustainability and inclusivity, ensuring that this growth benefits everyone and protects our planet for future generations. The sector’s resilience and potential for innovation continues to drive us forward.” Globally, international visitor spending is set to grow by nearly 16% to reach US$1.9 TN, while domestic tourists are projected to spend more than ever before, reaching US$5.4TN, an increase of 10.3% over 2019 levels. Travel & Tourism investment grew 13% in 2023 to reach more than US$1TN, with a return to pre-pandemic levels anticipated by 2025.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) celebrates yet another milestone as over 5,000 properties across more than 80 countries have now embraced its Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) programme. Independent hotel management companies and unique accommodation providers have also taken their first steps in sustainability by adhering to the Basics criteria. Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, Sanctuary Retreats by Abercrombie and Kent, luxury African safari lodges, amongst others, are now entering their second year of verification. Hotel Sustainability Basics has also gained endorsements from destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador. This milestone signifies a pivotal step forward for Travel & Tourism. The global tourism body remains committed to leading the sector towards a more sustainable and responsible future. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, stated: “WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics is a powerful testament to our collective effort in promoting sustainable practices in the hospitality industry. Surpassing 5,000 verified properties is more than just a milestone; it demonstrates Travel & Tourism’s readiness to embrace sustainability globally. This initiative unites hotels, industry partners, and sustainability standards to create a resilient, responsible, and planet-friendly future.” Hotels in major destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific have adopted Basics, and the programme continues to receive global support with new partnerships in tourism powerhouses such as Japan, the Philippines and India. Designed to guide hoteliers in their initial steps towards enhanced sustainability, Basics is an independent verification program, supervised by renowned assessors Green Key and SGS, ensuring rigorous standards and credibility. The programme empowers hotels of all sizes with a comprehensive 12-step criteria aimed at reducing carbon emissions, energy, …