WTTC summit seeks to educate US government
WTM Special Report: The World Travel and Tourism Council will use next year’s summit in Washington to illustrate to the US government how the industry is playing a critical role in the social and economic development of the world.
Chairman Vince Wolfington said that holding the summit in the back garden of the Bush administration will give them a truly “global view” of the world and how it can work together.
He even told TravelMole how the industry can play a leading part in bringing peace across the globe.
“It may sound idealistic but the travel and tourism industry can sow the seeds,” he said. “We need to develop a ripple effect.”
The industry can help different nationalities and cultures better understand each other, he added.
“The US don’t think like that which is why it’s so important the summit is held in Washington,” continued Wolfington. “The Bush administration surrounds itself with neo-conservatives who walk heavily and are armed with a big stick.
“The summit will give them a bird’s eye global view of the world.”
The US’s heavy-handed approach has not been helped, he said, by Bush’s extraordinary lack of international travel.
Wolfington added however there were signs the approach was beginning to change with the Washington summit in April hopefully accelerating the change.
He said more governments are realising the social and economic benefits of tourism with India among the recent success stories.
In a move to establish stronger local collaboration, a series of six regional summits will be held during the year, he added.
Report by Steve Jones
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