WTTC Global Summit comes to Rome in 2025

 Rome-World Travel and Tourism Council has announced that Rome will host the 25^th Annual WTTC Global Summit in September this year, which is returning to Europe after 6 years. This was announced yesterday at the Orient Express Hotel, in the center of Rome yesterday. “We are seeing growth and strong demand for Italian tourism,” said Greg O’Hara, Chair of the WTTC.

 The WTTC is a forum for the travel and tourism industry which began in the 80s. Its activities focus on the social and economic impact on tourism and include the organization of global and regional summits focused on the industry. “I’m delighted to be bringing our Global Summit back to Europe, to shine a spotlight on the iconic city of Rome,” said Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC.

 Looking back at 2024, tourism contributed over 228 billion euros (10.5 percent) to the Italian economy and supported 3.1 million jobs (12.9 percent). Spending by international visitors was an impressive 55.2 billion while domestic visitors spent a total of 122.6 billion according to the WTTC. They are forecasting for 2035 that tourism will contribute 282.6 billion (12.2 percent), support 3.7 million jobs (15.9 percent) and spending will increase up to 78.2 billion euros by international visitors and up to 142.5 billion by domestic visitors.

 In 2024, the WTTC had its annual summit in Perth, Australia, with speakers including former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and Robert Irwin, Australian conservationist and TV personality who is also son of the late Steve Irwin. Topics included wildlife conservation and the responsibility of sustainable tourism and protecting natural habitats. Former US Presidents, UK Prime Ministers, and other world leaders have spoken at other Globa Summits in the past.

 Other than the Chair of the WTTC, other speakers included the Italian Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanche, Manfedi Lefebvre, Chairman Elect of the WTTC, and Virginia Messina, SVP of the WTTC. There were also short presentations from Roberto Gualtieri, the Mayor of Rome, and Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region.

 It wasn’t all positive news at the conference, however. Massimo Caputi of Terme & Spa Italia is seeing “less tourism than 2024” due to fewer Americans visiting the country where his properties are located. They are sticking to the big three Venice, Florence and Rome and not venturing off into the countryside as often as they did in the previous year.

 The Global Summit will take place at the Auditorium Parco Della Musica on September 28 through the 30^th this year. WTTC is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Municipality of Rome and the Italian National Tourist board (ENIT). mlp