The two-day Summit will bring together senior public and private sector leaders from across global Travel & Tourism. Participants include CEOs, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Commissioners, policymakers, tourism authorities and former Heads of State. Leaders from G20 economies and other markets will join representatives from international institutions and government bodies. The programme will also feature airlines, airports, hotels, cruise lines, destinations, technology companies, investors and tourism authorities.
WTTC said the programme reflects the full breadth of the global Travel & Tourism ecosystem. Its agenda follows eight strategic priorities covering safe and seamless travel, destination stewardship and sustainability. Other priorities include emerging technologies and AI, crisis preparedness, connectivity and workforce development. The framework also addresses investment and economic growth opportunities across the global Travel & Tourism sector.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “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.
“Our eight strategic priorities provide a clear framework for action, but it is through conversations like these – bringing governments and business leaders together – that we can turn opportunities into progress. Malta provides an exceptional setting to challenge thinking, share solutions and build the partnerships needed to shape the next decade of our sector.”
Carlo Micallef, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, said: “The programme for FUTU[RE]SET reflects the extraordinary breadth of issues shaping the future of Travel & Tourism. Over the summit, leaders from across our global industry will address some of the most important questions facing our sector. What makes this programme particularly valuable is the diversity of perspectives it brings together. Airlines, airports, hotels, cruise operators, technology companies, governments, tourism authorities and international organisations will all have a seat at the table, creating an important platform for sharing experience, challenging established thinking and identifying opportunities for collaboration.”
The Minister for Tourism of Malta, Jo Etienne Abela, stated: “We are delighted to be hosting this prestigious event and we are well aware of its potential for lasting benefit to our islands. The Summit is an excellent opportunity to forge new partnerships that are built on trust -– trust that is borne of initiative, integrity and the determination to do better. The future of tourism rests on meeting the expectations of discerning tourists in a sutainable way, whilst adding value to our local communities.”
Global Leaders Dialogue and youth initiative
The Summit will open with senior Maltese leaders outlining the country’s vision for Travel & Tourism. Dr. Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta, will join the opening alongside senior Maltese and WTTC representatives. Participants will include H.E. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister of Malta, and H.E. Dr. Jo Etienne Abela, Minister for Tourism of Malta. Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, will also participate in the opening session. WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio and WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara will join the Maltese leaders.
A central programme feature will be the exclusive Global Leaders Dialogue. The dialogue will bring together Ministers, policymakers and global business leaders to discuss Travel & Tourism competitiveness. Two interactive, moderator-led panels will feature eight Ministers and four global CEOs each. The sessions will focus on direct exchanges rather than a series of formal interventions.
The Summit will also launch the WTTC Youth Movement, a new global initiative focused on careers across Travel & Tourism. The programme will give young people a role in shaping the sector’s future and addressing workforce and skills needs.Around 90 students and 10 professors from 16 partner institutions will participate. The participants represent more than 30 nationalities and will engage directly with industry leaders.
The programme includes Summit discussions, networking opportunities and a youth-led Malta Declaration. WTTC said the initiative will strengthen links between the sector and the next generation of talent. It will also create a platform for dialogue that continues beyond the Summit.
SMEs and the future Travel & Tourism agenda
The Summit will also support WTTC’s Together in Travel initiative for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs represent around 85% of the global Travel & Tourism community, according to WTTC. The organisation aims to build a one million-strong community of Travel & Tourism SMEs. Delegates will hear how the initiative provides practical tools, insights and networking opportunities for participating businesses.
The programme also addresses the role of SMEs in global policy discussions and their collective voice. Across the Summit, delegates will examine key opportunities and challenges facing Travel & Tourism. Sessions include “Digital Identity: Resetting the Border Experience” and “AI Unlocked: The New Era of Travel”. Other discussions include “Unlocking the Power of Travel & Tourism SMEs” and “Building Resilience in an Age of Disruption”. Further sessions will cover “Destination Stewardship: The Right Kind of Growth” and “Connecting the World: The Future of Mobility”.
The programme will also feature “Tourism for All” and “Public and Private Leadership: The Next Trillion Dollar Investment”. These discussions will examine cooperation between governments and businesses across several areas. Topics include innovation, connectivity, seamless travel, sustainability, investment, talent, destinations and resilience.
The Summit will also address the future traveller and the growth of luxury and wellness tourism. Participants will examine emerging tourism powerhouses, including India, alongside changing investment patterns. Europe’s future competitiveness, next-generation leadership, accessibility and impact-driven travel will also feature.
The Summit will conclude with Moving Forward Together, bringing senior WTTC and Malta Tourism Authority leaders together. Gloria Guevara, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio and Carlo Micallef will reflect on themes, commitments and actions emerging from FUTU[RE]SET. The closing session will address collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The programme will conclude with the announcement of the host destination for the 2027 WTTC Global Summit.
Speakers confirmed for the Global Summit
- Former Heads of State and Global Political Leaders
- Justin Trudeau, Former Prime Minister of Canada
- José María Aznar, Former Prime Minister of Spain
- Nick Adams, US Minister for Tourism and Presidential Envoy
- Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, European Commission
- Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, European Commission
Ministers
- H.E. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects, Malta
- Jonathan Attard, Minister for Planning, Infrastructure and Employment, Malta
- Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism, Spain
- Gianmarco Mazzi, Minister of Tourism, Italy
- H.E. Patricia de Lille, Minister for Tourism, South Africa
- H.E. Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism, Greece
- H.E. Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Croatia
- H.E. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Turkey
- H.E. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Tourism, India
- Harris Whitbeck, Minister of Tourism, Guatemala
- Abdulmohsen Al-Mazyad, Vice Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Rosario Sanchez Grau, Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain
- H.E. Sherif Fathy Attia, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Republic of Egypt
- Robert O’Leary, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism, US Department of Commerce
- Suman Billa, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, India
- Bernardo Cueto, Secretary of Tourism, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Michelle Fridman, Secretary of Tourism, State of Jalisco, Mexico
- Global Travel & Tourism Industry Leaders
- Christopher J. Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton
- Elie Maalouf, Global CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group
- Jane Sun, CEO, Trip.com Group
- Alejandro Reynal, President & Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons
- Audrey Hendley, President, American Express Travel
- Gloria Fluxà, Vice-Chairman & Chief Sustainability Officer, Iberostar Group
- William Heinecke, Founder and Chairman, Minor International PCL
- Neal Jones, President EMEA, Marriott International
- Greg O’Hara, Founder & Senior Managing Director, Certares
- Eijiro Yamakita, Chairperson, JTB Corp.
- Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor
- Carlo Bonomi, CEO, Investindustrial
- Desirée Bollier, Chair & Global Chief Merchant, The Bicester Collection
- Cara Morton, CEO, Global Businesses & Operations, Zurich Insurance Group
- Ayad Al Balushi, CEO, OMRAN Group
- Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
- Tony Fernandes, CEO & Co-Founder, Capital A Group
- Jörg Eberhart, CEO, ITA Airways
- Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL)
- Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association
- Zubin Karkaria, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global
- Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO, Tourism Development Fund, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, Visit California
- Aqeel Al-Shibani, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority
- Paolo Barletta, CEO, Arsenale Group
- Matthew Upchurch, Chairman & CEO, Virtuoso; Chairman, Together in Travel
- Hamza Farooqui, CEO, Millat Group
- Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO, Diriyah Company
- James Thornton, CEO, Intrepid Travel
- Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO, Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co.
- Pansy Ho, Group Executive Chairman & Managing Director, Shun Tak Holdings
- Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-Founder, TBO.com
- Laurent Gardinier, President, Relais & Châteaux
- Julie Shainock, Global Managing Director, Microsoft
- Christie Travers-Smith, Director, EMEA Strategic Partnerships, Google
- Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
- John Sage, Founder & CEO, Accessible Travel Solutions
- Shawn Pisani, Vice President, HelmsBriscoe
- Mark Weingard, Founder & CEO, Iniala Group
- Andrea Grisdale, CEO & Founder, IC Bellagio
- Maher Koubaa, President EMEA, Amadeus
- Tim Gray, Founder, Health Optimisation
- Members of Parliament, Commissioners and International Organisations
- Daniel Attard, Member of the European Parliament, Committee on Transport and Tourism
- H.E. Nikolina Brnjac, Member of the European Parliament, Croatia
- Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Minerals, African Union
- Mohamed AlSharhan, Managing Director, World Governments Summit
- Doreen Silver Katusiime, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda
- Diane J. Sabatino, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Young Tae Kim, Secretary-General, International Transport Forum
- Julian Kassum, Deputy Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce
- Don Welsh, President & CEO, Destinations International
- Destination, Policy and Tourism Development Leaders
- Miguel Sanz, Director-General, Turespaña
- Leslie Vella, Chief Officer Strategic Development, Malta Tourism Authority
- Kevin Fsadni, Deputy CEO & Chief Officer (Product & Regulatory), Malta Tourism Authority
- Bruno Despujol, Global Lead for Leisure & Hospitality, Oliver Wyman
- Laura Sileo Pavat, Global Brand Homes Director, Diageo
- Gastronomy and Cultural Tourism
- Simon Rogan, Chef Patron, Simon Rogan Restaurants
- Keith Abela, Head of Sustainability, ION Harbour by Simon Rogan
- Jonathan Brincat, Head Chef, Noni Restaurant Valletta
- Dr Noel Buttigieg, Head of Department of Tourism Management, University of Malta
