More than 50 tourism ministers and senior officials gathered in London on November 4, 2026, for the 20th anniversary of the World Travel Market (WTM) London Ministers’ Summit. At the event, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) President and CEO Gloria Guevara called for enhanced cooperation between governments and the private sector to strengthen global tourism resilience and prepare for future crises.
The summit was marked by the absence of Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). UN Tourism was represented by Principal Advisor Khanh Linh Vu, but the gap in top-level representation highlighted
the expanding role of private-sector leadership in international tourism policymaking.
WTTC’s Strategic Priorities for Tourism Resilience
WTTC introduced eight strategic priorities approved by its Executive Committee, focusing on resilience, sustainability, technology, connectivity, and investment. These priorities extend beyond traditional industry concerns, encompassing national security, immigration policies, environmental regulations, infrastructure, and economic growth. Their presentation underscored the organization’s ambition to influence broader tourism and economic policy frameworks through public-private partnerships.
Research on Tourism Resilience and Crisis Preparedness
WTTC based its resilience claims on research examining over 100 historical crises, including the September 11 attacks, the global financial crisis, geopolitical conflicts, wars, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The council emphasized that tourism crises rapidly cross borders
and institutions, affecting entire travel networks within hours. This dynamic necessitates joint preparedness efforts by governments and private enterprises to enable coordinated responses and faster recoveries.
Economic Impact and Forecasts for Travel & Tourism
According to WTTC data, Travel & Tourism contributed US$11.6 trillion to the global economy in 2025, equivalent to 9.8% of worldwide GDP. The sector supported approximately 366 million jobs globally, representing nearly one in every nine jobs. For 2026, WTTC projects a growth to US$11.9 trillion in GDP contribution and anticipates 29.8 million additional international arrivals, reflecting an annual growth rate of 1.9%. These figures highlight tourism’s expanding role in global economic development.
Industry and Government Participation
Prominent
industry leaders engaged in the summit included Frank Rainieri, Founder and Chairman of Grupo Puntacana; Hamza Farooqui, Founder and CEO of Millat Group; Rosana Morillo, Vice President of Government Affairs at MSC Cruises; and Rajiv Garodia, Senior Vice President at Visa Government Solutions. Their inputs covered destination development, hospitality, cruise operations, and travel technology. The United Arab Emirates was represented by Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, who addressed tourism investment, government incentives, and bilateral cooperation with countries including Croatia and Portugal.
Khanh Linh Vu stressed the need for international collaboration during the summit, reinforcing the importance of aligning public
and private sector efforts. Guevara highlighted the necessity for integrated planning between governments and businesses to anticipate challenges rather than solely respond, advocating for a unified voice and coordinated policies to protect cultural and natural assets and support local communities.
Shifting Dynamics in Tourism Governance
The summit illuminated the evolving tourism governance landscape, with WTTC affirming a stronger role in shaping policies affecting entire destinations and global travel systems. While UN Tourism retains its official intergovernmental mandate, WTTC’s influence is growing through its research, partnerships, and representation of major private-sector tourism companies. This shift raises questions on the future balance between governmental institutions and private-sector
leadership in managing international tourism challenges and growth.
