World Travel Market to Feature Travel Ministers’ Summit

The fourth and largest-ever UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market will, for the first time, conclude with a Statement of Intent outlining the future direction of the travel and tourism industry. The country tourism ministers attending this year’s Nov. 9 summit -- Shaping a Stronger Travel and Tourism Industry; Governance and business models for the future -- will agree on their plan and direction for the industry for the next 12 months.

It will be the first time global travel ministers agree on a set of actions and principles for the future of the industry. The UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at WTM is poised to be the largest ever, surpassing last year’s record of 147 ministers and aides.

The ministers and aides will be joined by senior business leaders from the industry to help agree the future direction for travel and tourism. Last year, private sector speakers included Thomas Cook Chief Executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa. Also for the first time this year, World Travel Market will host the WTM Ministerial Evening at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.

The exclusive evening will host tourism ministers and senior aides from around the world and will offer entertainment from a leading London West End musical production. The UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at WTM takes place at ExCeL, London on Tuesday, Nov. 9.