Wttc's Goals: Sustainable Growth, Safety, And Open Borders

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a forum for the travel and tourism industry, comprising members of the global business community. It works with governments worldwide to raise awareness about the industry and its economic and social impact. The WTTC's mission is to highlight the economic impact of travel and tourism, which accounts for a significant percentage of global GDP and millions of jobs. The WTTC also encourages governments to adopt policies for sustainable tourism development. In addition, the WTTC conducts extensive research into the industry, producing annual Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Reports, which calculate the economic impact of the industry, including GDP and employment figures. The WTTC also hosts global summits and gives out awards to encourage sustainable tourism practices.

Raise awareness of the economic impact of the industry

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a forum for the travel and tourism industry, made up of members of the global business community. It works with governments worldwide to raise awareness about the industry and is the only forum representing the private sector in all parts of the industry worldwide.

One of the WTTC's main goals is to raise awareness of the economic impact of the industry. The WTTC was formed in the 1980s by a group of business executives who believed that the travel and tourism industry was not widely recognised due to its lack of organisation and structure. The WTTC was officially established in 1990, with its first annual general meeting taking place in Washington, D.C., in 1991. The initial members agreed on the need to promote awareness of the economic contribution made by the travel and tourism industry.

To achieve this goal, the WTTC conducts extensive research on the economic impact of the industry. It produces annual Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Reports, which include a global report, 24 regional reports, and 184 country reports. These reports calculate the economic impact of the industry, including direct and total GDP impacts, direct and indirect employment, investment, and exports. The research is used by major publications such as Forbes and Bloomberg News, and it also supplies country indicators for the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum.

The WTTC also works to encourage governments to unlock the industry's potential by adopting policy frameworks for sustainable tourism development. The WTTC recognises that tourism is a significant economic force, contributing to global GDP and employment. By highlighting the economic impact of the industry, the WTTC aims to influence governments and policymakers to support and invest in the travel and tourism sector.

In addition to its research and advocacy efforts, the WTTC provides a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among its members. The WTTC Global Summit, held annually in April, brings together around 1,000 attendees, including CEOs, prime ministers, and senior partners from travel companies and destinations worldwide. The summit provides an opportunity for members to network, learn from each other, and discuss issues and developments relevant to the industry.

By raising awareness of the economic impact of the travel and tourism industry, the WTTC aims to ensure that the sector receives the attention and support it deserves from governments and policymakers, ultimately contributing to its success and sustainability.

Encourage governments to adopt policies for sustainable tourism development

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a forum for the travel and tourism industry, comprising global business leaders from the private sector. It was established in 1990 to raise awareness about the economic and social impact of the industry, which generates wealth and accounts for a significant percentage of global GDP and employment.

One of the WTTC's key goals is to encourage governments to adopt policies for sustainable tourism development. This involves unlocking the industry's potential by implementing a policy framework that promotes sustainable practices. Here are some ways in which this can be achieved:

Inclusive Governance and Community Engagement: WTTC can promote inclusive governance by involving communities in tourism planning and management. This ensures support for local identity, rights, and well-being, as well as helping to achieve sustainable development goals. For example, Barcelona's Tourism and City Council relies on citizen participation to advise the municipal government on tourism policies, demonstrating a shift towards public-private-community collaboration.

Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Concerns: The tourism industry is vulnerable to climate change and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. WTTC can encourage governments to prioritize climate action by reducing plastics, curbing food waste, protecting biodiversity, and transitioning to low-carbon tourism operations. The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism provides a framework for developing and implementing climate action plans, with over 850 signatories already committed to this initiative.

Sustainability Reporting and Measurement: WTTC can advocate for the adoption of the UN's new global standard for measuring the sustainability of tourism, which includes economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This common language for data collection will enable countries to produce trustworthy and comparable data, guiding the sector towards sustainable practices and ensuring resilience.

Investment in Tourism: WTTC can encourage governments to increase investment in tourism, targeting investments that build resilience and accelerate the shift towards sustainability. This includes supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which make up a significant portion of tourism businesses worldwide, through targeted policies and initiatives.

Education and Skills Development: WTTC can promote initiatives to make tourism a more attractive career path for young people, addressing labour shortages in the industry. This includes providing education and skills development opportunities, particularly in MSMEs, to enhance equality, growth, and sustainability within the sector.

By encouraging governments to adopt policies for sustainable tourism development, the WTTC can help ensure that tourism brings about prosperity, fosters international harmony, safeguards the natural environment, and stimulates economic advancement in a responsible and resilient manner.

Conduct extensive research into the industry's economic and social impact

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a forum for the travel and tourism industry, comprising members of the global business community. It works with governments worldwide to raise awareness about the industry and is the only forum representing the private sector in all parts of the industry worldwide.

One of the WTTC's primary goals is to conduct extensive research into the industry's economic and social impact. This research takes the form of the annual Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Reports, which include a global report, 24 regional reports, and 184 country reports. These reports are the crux of the WTTC's research activity and are used by major publications such as Forbes and Bloomberg News. They calculate the economic impact of the travel industry, including:

• Direct and total GDP impact
• Direct and indirect employment
• One and ten-year forecasts

The WTTC also works with the World Economic Forum to supply country indicators for the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, which ranks selected nations according to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. This research activity is underpinned by a set of annually produced reports, including a global report and numerous regional and country reports. These reports utilise models based on Tourism Satellite Accounting to forecast the economic impact of the industry over one and ten years.

The WTTC's research into the economic and social impact of the travel and tourism industry serves to raise awareness about the significance of the sector. This includes highlighting the industry's role as the world's largest generator of wealth and employment, accounting for over 200 million jobs and more than 10% of global GDP. By conducting extensive research, the WTTC provides valuable insights that inform decision-making and shape policies to support the industry's growth and sustainability.

Provide a forum for global business leaders to discuss issues and developments

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a forum for global business leaders in the travel and tourism industry to discuss issues and developments. It is made up of members from the global business community, including presidents, chairs, and CEOs of 100 of the world's foremost companies. These companies represent sectors such as hotels, airports, car rental companies, and more.

The WTTC provides a platform for these leaders to come together and discuss relevant topics, share ideas, and make decisions that can shape the industry. They also offer advice and guidance to the industry, which can indirectly impact travellers' experiences, such as the tours they go on, the hotels they stay at, or their airport experience.

One of the key goals of the WTTC is to raise awareness of the economic impact of the travel and tourism industry. They conduct extensive research on the economic and social impact of the industry, producing annual Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Reports. These reports include global, regional, and country-specific analyses, calculating the direct and total GDP impact, employment figures, and forecasts. This research is widely used by major publications and organisations, influencing policies and decisions in the industry.

The WTTC also organises global and regional summits, providing a forum for leaders to discuss current issues and developments. These summits are held annually, with the global summit usually taking place in April and attracting around 1,000 attendees. The summits feature talks, interviews, and panel discussions, offering a platform for knowledge-sharing and networking among industry leaders.

By providing this forum, the WTTC facilitates discussions on relevant topics, encourages collaboration, and enables leaders to collectively address challenges and drive positive change in the travel and tourism industry.

Offer awards and recognition for achievements in sustainable tourism

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is a forum for the travel and tourism industry, comprising global business leaders such as presidents, chairs, and CEOs of prominent companies. The WTTC offers awards and recognition through the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which encourage and acknowledge achievements in sustainable tourism. This award was initially created by the Federation of Tour Operators in 1989 and later taken over by British Airways in 1992 before being adopted by the WTTC in 2004.

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards highlight the positive impact of travel and tourism on the world. The awards have five categories: the Destination Stewardship Award, the Climate Action Award, the Investing in People Award, the Circular Economy Award, and the Community Award. These categories showcase how tourism can drive economic, social, and environmental benefits for destinations and their communities.

The WTTC recognises that the travel industry must grow sustainably. They advocate for sustainable tourism development by encouraging governments to adopt policies that support this growth. The WTTC also emphasises the importance of inclusive governance and community engagement in tourism planning and management to ensure the industry's long-term viability.

The WTTC's awards and recognition for achievements in sustainable tourism are a crucial aspect of their mission to raise awareness about the economic and social impact of the travel industry. By offering these awards, the WTTC encourages businesses to adopt sustainable practices and showcase their commitment to environmental and social responsibility. This, in turn, helps to shape the industry's future and ensure that tourism brings about positive change.

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