World Travel and Tourism Council, a leading global tourism organisation, says that its 25th Global Summit will be held in Rome in 2025. In a press statement, WTTC says that the decision to hold the event in Rome was taken as the curtains closed on the 2024 WTTC Global Summit at Perth in Western Australia.

It adds that the 2025 Global Summit marks the first time the event will be held in the historic heart of Italy, the seat of ancient empires and cultural heritage.

It says that being organised in one of the world’s most popular destinations, the Global Summit in Italy will see business leaders and government delegations from around the world, converge in the city to discuss the latest challenges facing the sector, as well as the solutions of tomorrow.

Scheduled for late 2025, the 25^th Global Summit will be staged in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism and marks a significant return to Europe after six years, adds WTTC. The 2019 WTTC Global Summit took place in Seville, Spain, with 44^th President of the United States, Barack Obama, addressing delegates.

WTTC says that the Summit in Perth, Western Australia concluded with nearly 800 delegates from more than 50 countries, and over 100 journalists from around the world. The global tourism body’s summit featured insights from leading figures such as John Kerry, the 68th Secretary of State of the United States, and Robert Irwin, one of Australia’s foremost conservationists, reflecting on pressing global environmental challenges and the role of tourism in addressing them.

“The success of our 2024 Global Summit is a testament to the enduring appeal and innovation within the Travel & Tourism sector. I want to extend my thanks to the team at Tourism Western Australia for all their work, in making this Summit a reality. History shows that all roads lead to Rome, and in 2025 that’s certainly true as we head to a global city steeped in history, yet vibrantly forward-looking,” says Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC.

“I am proud, as the Minister of Tourism of Italy, to announce that our nation will host the WTTC Global Summit in October 2025. This event is recognised as the most important setting for dialogue between governments and the private sector, where leaders shape the future of global Travel & Tourism. We look forward to welcoming our guests and Members of WTTC to Rome, a city rich in history and innovation,’’ says Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism, Italy.

The statement adds that the 25th WTTC Global Summit will serve as a prime opportunity to showcase Italy’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary tourist offerings to the world’s leading travel executives. In Perth, WTTC released the latest Environmental and Social Research (ESR) data, revealing a significant decrease in travel and tourism’s climate footprint emissions. The latest data showed that whilst the sectors economic contribution to global GDP almost reached pre-pandemic levels last year, the greenhouse gas emissions intensity fell by more than 8 pc in the same period.

WTTC says that this clearly demonstrates that the sector is not only recovering, but it is growing at a cleaner rate than previously. The Summit also addressed key issues and growth strategies globally and shone a spotlight on the Oceania travel and tourism sector, setting the stage for continued discussion and innovation in Rome, it adds.