WTTC confirms summit speakers and programme
Expedia chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi, Easyjet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou and TUI chairman Dr Michael Frenzel will be among the speakers at the World Travel & Tourism Council summit in Washington in April.
They head a list of high-profile industry figures who will address delegates at the Global Travel & Tourism Summit between April 10-12.
Carlson chairman and chief executive Marilyn Carlson Nelson, British Airways head of UK sales and marketing Alan Burnett and Marriott International chairman and chief executive JW Marriott Jr will also be among the speakers.
The summit programme has also been revealed.
Day one, April 11, will open with a debate on the identity of travel and explore why the social and economic impact has not been fully recognised.
Delegates will then discuss how demographics are changing the industry before looking at aviation, and how it can deal with the social, security and environmental challenges. The day ends with a debate on innovation and technology at a resort, security and distribution level.
The second day begins with a breakfast session looking at the natural and health disasters that have impacted the industry and asking what contingency plans governments and the international community have in the event of further catastrophes.
It will then assess the future development of destinations and what lessons can be learned from the past.
The summit concludes with a “globally-renowned keynote speaker” who will offer a view from outside the travel and tourism industry.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt