The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will organize next year’s WTTC Global Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 18-19th April 2018. Roberto Palais, Executive Manager, Ministry of Tourism of Argentina, announced the location of the 2018 Global Summit at the closing ceremony of the 17th WTTC Global Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 2018 WTTC Global Summit will be jointly hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Argentina, The Argentine Chamber of Tourism and the Buenos Aires City Tourist Board.
Travel & Tourism is one of the leading sectors stimulating economic growth and employment worldwide. In 2016, our sector generated USD7.6 trillion and supported over 292 million jobs, which is 1 in 10 jobs around the world.
David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, said: We are extremely excited to bring next year’s WTTC Global Summit back to South America for the first time since 2009, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, a great example of a thriving tourism destination. Travel & Tourism contributed ARS775 billion (US$52.5 million) to Argentina’s GDP in 2016, which is 9.6% of total GDP, and this is expected to grow by 4.4% during 2017. Furthermore our sector supported 1.6 million jobs, representing 8.8% of total employment.”
Scowsill added: “WTTC’s annual Global Summit brings together the most influential figures from the public and private sector to address the challenges and opportunities facing Travel & Tourism. Hosting the Summit in Buenos Aires is a reflection of the commitment and efforts of the Argentinean government to growing business and leisure travel, and we are very much looking forward to April 2018.”
Gustavo Santos, Minister of Tourism, Argentina, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the 2018 WTTC Global Summit, which will allow us to showcase the breadth of opportunities our capital and our country holds for Travel & Tourism, as both a leisure and business destination.”
“Travel & Tourism is an important area of focus for the Argentinean government. Holding the Summit in Buenos Aires, we will further showcase our commitment to growing the sector in a sustainable fashion and promote the exchange of cultures between the visitors and local communities,” said Gonzalo Robredo, Executive Director, Buenos Aires City Tourist Board.
Oscar Ghezzi, President, Argentine Chamber of Tourism, concluded: “We are looking forward to welcoming the Summit attendees next year. It is an excellent opportunity for the delegates to experience our culture and the touristic opportunities that Buenos Aires and Argentina have to offer.”
