WTM London: Ministers’ Summit 2023 to Highlight Importance of Education in Tourism

World Travel Market (WTM) London, the world’s most influential travel and tourism event, will shine a spotlight on the importance of education in the tourism sector at this year’s Ministers’ Summit.

Scheduled to take place on November 6 – Day One of WTM London 2023, this year’s high-profile annual summit will see ministers debating on the topic “Transforming Tourism Through Youth and Education”.

For 17 years, tourism leaders from around the world have come together at World Travel Market, in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to debate policy, strategy, development and investment.

“Education is the cornerstone of sustainable tourism development,” said World Travel Market London Exhibition Director Juliette Losardo, adding that investing in tourism skills and training is “now more critical than ever”.

During the summit, ministers will explore ways that their tourism and education policies can empower individuals and communities, drive innovation, foster responsible practices and support the resilience and success of the sector.

UNWTO: Tourism needs a skilled and knowledgeable workforce

UNWTO Director-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

The UNWTO forecasts continued growth in international tourist arrivals in the coming years, leading to a surge in employment opportunities within the sector.

By 2030, the tourism sector could provide employment for more than 300 million people worldwide – but a skilled and knowledgeable workforce is vital, requiring the sector to invest and close existing gaps in education and training.

WTTC: Travel and tourism’s share of youth employment has grown

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson.

According to WTTC, travel and tourism employs a higher proportion of younger workers than other sectors, and jobs for young people have been rebounding quickly after the pandemic.

Its figures show that travel and tourism’s share of youth employment has grown from 6.5 percent in 2010 to 8.2 percent in 2021.

As well as looking at ways to close the skills gaps in tourism education and training, the Summit will ask how public-private partnerships can be strengthened to improve access to quality education – and how educational institutions can align their courses with the evolving needs of the tourism industry.

Ministers will share examples of best practice and examine how international collaboration can be enhanced to promote successful strategies in tourism education around the world.

The largest annual global gathering of tourism ministers, the Ministers’ Summit at WTM London will once again be hosted by BBC World News presenter Zeinab Badawi. The summit will take place from 11:00 to 13:00 on the Elevate Stage.

This year’s conversation at the Ministers’ Summit will align with the overall World Travel Market campaign around the Power to Change, with a big focus on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion.

The WTM London 2023 expo will be held at ExCeL London exhibition & convention center during November 6–8.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London.