Rwanda Hosts Travel and Tourism Global Summit

The 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit was recently held in Kigali, Rwanda from 1 to 3 November 2023. The annual global summit is the most influential travel and tourism event on the calendar, and this year, industry leaders once again gathered with key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s recovery and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

The in-person and virtual summit was a historical move for first-time hosts Rwanda and the African continent, where the travel and tourism industries are looking to maintain an impressive recovery trajectory.

In attendance were global travel and tourism luminaries Arnold Donald, WTTC Chair, and Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO. African leaders present were Paul Kagame (President of Rwanda), Prosper Bazombanza (Burundi Vice President) and Samia Suluhu Hassan (President of Tanzania).

The theme and agenda of the summit was “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future,” and under discussion were topics including climate action, the impact of technology, and the role of youth and gender equality in the sector.

Speaking at the opening of the summit, WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson revealed that the global travel and tourism sector is making a robust comeback, bouncing back to the pre-pandemic vigour of 2019.

The latest data from WTTC and its partner Oxford Economics shows that global travel is surging back, with all regions including Africa recovering faster than previously expected, with Asia-Pacific leading the way. “Our latest data highlights our sector’s enduring appeal and resilience and is recovering faster than anticipated,” said Simpson.

Taking the event to Africa for the first time recognised the phenomenal growth the travel and tourism sector across the continent has witnessed in recent years.

Simpson said: “Rwanda is the perfect venue for our Global Summit, as the sector embarks on a significant new chapter. Africa has the world’s youngest population and by 2033, $1 in every $13 created in Africa, will come from Travel & Tourism and 1 in 17 jobs will be in the sector. This demonstrates the huge potential the continent’s sector has for new jobs and new economic growth for young people across Africa.”

Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, said: “We are proud to host the first-ever WTTC Global Summit in Africa. While this important gathering will take place in Rwanda, it is for the whole continent. Africa has some of the most spectacular tourism properties and experiences in the world, and the sector plays a significant role in the continent’s continued economic development by creating millions of jobs.

“This year’s WTTC Global Summit will provide a great platform to build bridges across the tourism and travel ecosystem, and co-design a sustainable future for the sector to achieve its full potential.”

The latest Economic Impact Research from the global tourism body reveals a staggering ten year forecast for Africa’s travel and tourism sector. In 2033, WTTC predicts that the sector will contribute more than $300 billion to Africa’s economy and jobs in the sector will grow significantly, reaching more than 36 million in total.

The summit seeks to be the catalyst for this change, offering a platform where vibrant ideas meet opportunity, and where the future of travel and tourism will be redrawn and redefined.

Text by Martin Chemhere

From DESTINATION ZW EDITION 7