Western Australia to host 2024 World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit

Kings Park and Perth city
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Western Australia has been announced as the destination for next year’s World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in the closing stages of this year’s event in Kigali, Rwanda.

    WTTC closed its first-ever Global Summit in Africa over the weekend with more than 1,200 in attendance.

    The 2024 event will be the 24th Global Summit and will take place in Perth, late 2024, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia.

    The global tourism body’s Global Summit saw speakers such as global economist and renowned business commentator Justin Urquhart-Stewart; administrator of the United States transport security administration, David P. Pekoske; and chief commercial officer of Arsenal Football Club, Juliet Slot.

    The most influential travel and tourism event in the calendar, WTTC’s Global Summit, was attended by more than 45 countries.

    “The success of this year’s Global Summit in Kigali is (a) testament to the power of Africa’s travel and tourism sector,” president and CEO, WTTC, Julia Simpson, said.

    “Through Rwanda, the continent has well and truly put itself on the map.”

    “We are so excited to be heading ‘Down Under’ next year.

    “Western Australia and the beautiful city of Perth have always been popular destinations and we’re sure attendees will enjoy a real taste of quintessential Australian hospitality.”

    Western Australia secured the event thanks to a collaborative bid that was presented by the WA Government (through tourism WA and Business events Perth) as well as support from Business events Australia.

    Tourism WA managing director Carolyn Turnbull said hosting the 24th WTTC Global Summit presents a significant opportunity for WA to demonstrate its growth ambition and investment opportunities to WTTC’s members, which includes the CEOs of key travel businesses such as airlines, global hotel operators and investors, and cruise lines.

    “The effect of hosting this event goes far beyond the immediate economic impact generated from delegate spend; this event will open avenues for conversation around inbound trade and product investments, new inbound aviation routes and the development of high value tourism product business opportunities,” Turnbull, said.

    “Business delegates attending this event will be encouraged to extend their stay and explore further afield, so they can experience our dreamlike landscapes, world-class experiences, and expert tourism operators firsthand.”

    During its Kigali summit, the WTTC launched its Africa report highlighting some of the challenges travel and tourism faces in the region and the opportunities to address them.

    WTTC also launched its groundbreaking diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging report which tracks DEIB in the travel and tourism sector and highlights effective practices and recommendations for the future.

    This years event was moderated by Thami Nkadimeng who was recently selected as a 2023 top 100 most influential people of African descent under 40 in support of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 68/237.

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