Tourism representatives from the public and private sector will convene at the fourth annual UNWTO Ministers' Summit at World Travel Market (WTM), to be held on November 9, 2010 at Excel, London, to debate on the best course of action for the tourism sector in the face of global economic and environmental challenges. Tourism Ministers and private sector experts will devise business models and public policies best suited for fostering tourism growth.
The 2010 UNWTO Ministers' Summit at WTM is expected to be the largest ever, providing a vital platform for public and private tourism stakeholders to collectively determine the course of the sector for the next 12 months.
Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General Ad Interim, UNWTO said, 'Public-private partnerships are crucial for maximising tourism's contribution to sustained economic growth and job creation, major concerns of today. It is encouraging to see the public and private spheres coming together to strengthen tourism's role and address global challenges.'
The Summit - Shaping a Stronger Travel and Tourism Industry - Governance and business models for the future - will focus on three key issues challenging the sector:
A) Mainstreaming Tourism in the Political and Economic Agendas - how to increase recognition of tourism�s role in job creation, economic growth and development.
B) Creating a Competitive Framework for Tourism Development - how to bring the public and private sector together to create a more competitive business environment for tourism.
C) Climate Change and the Green Economy -how to develop a Green Tourism Economy.
Speakers from the public sector include: the Ministers of Tourism of the United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, Egypt, China the Bahamas and Portugal. The private sector will be represented by, among others, Sebasti'n Escarrer, Vice Chairman of Sol Meli'a Hotels & Resorts (Spain); Christopher Brown, Managing Director of the Tourism and Transport Forum (Australia); Mike Greenacre, Managing Director, Co-operaitve Travel Group (UK); Johan Lundgren, Managing Director for Northern Europe, TUI Travel.
In addition, the Summit will count on the participation of a wider representation of Tourism Ministers from countries worldwide including Croatia, Cyprus, Gambia, Ghana, India, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia and Paraguay.