WTTC: Western Australia to Host World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit in 2024

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson welcoming Tourism Western Australia Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull on stage. Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)

Kigali, Rwanda: The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) will be heading down under next year to Western Australia to hold its 24th Global Summit.

The announcement was made during the closing session of the WTTC’s 23rd Global Summit in Kigali on Friday.

The first time the event will visit Oceania, the 24th Global Summit will take place in Perth in late 2024, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia.

“We are so excited to be heading ‘down under’ next year,” WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said when making the announcement.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson announcing Western Australia as the host for the global tourism body’s Global Summit in 2024. Photo source: WTTC

“Western Australia and the beautiful city of Perth have always been popular destinations and we’re sure attendees will enjoy a real taste of quintessential Australian hospitality,” she added.

On her part, Tourism Western Australia Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull said hosting the WTTC’s 24th Global Summit presents a significant opportunity for WA to demonstrate its growth ambition and investment opportunities to WTTC’s members, which includes the CEOs of key travel businesses such as airlines, global hotel operators and investors, and cruise lines.

Tourism Western Australia Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull. Photo source: WTTC

“The effect of hosting this event goes far beyond the immediate economic impact generated from delegate spend; this event will open avenues for conversation around inbound trade and product investments, new inbound aviation routes and the development of high value tourism product business opportunities,” Turnbull said.

She added that business delegates attending the WTTC’s Global Summit next year will be encouraged to extend their stay and explore further afield.

“So they can experience our dreamlike landscapes, world-class experiences, and expert tourism operators firsthand… We’ll see you ‘down under’ next year,” Turnbull added.

Photo source: WTTC

WTTC on Friday, November 3, closed its first ever global summit in Africa with more than 1,200 delegates attending the event in Kigali, Rwanda.

The global tourism body’s event saw speakers such as global economist and renowned business commentor Justin Urquhart-Stewart; Administrator of the United States Transport Security Administration, David P. Pekoske; and Chief Commercial Officer of Arsenal Football Club, Juliet Slot.

The most influential Travel & Tourism event in the calendar, WTTC’s Global Summit, was attended by more than 45 countries.

“The success of this year’s Global Summit in Kigali is testament to the power of Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector. Through Rwanda, the continent has well and truly put itself on the map,”. WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said.

During its Global Summit in Kigali, WTTC launched its Africa report highlighting some of the challenges Travel & Tourism faces in the region and the opportunities to address them.

WTTC also launched its groundbreaking Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging report which tracks DEIB in the Travel & Tourism sector and highlights effective practices and recommendations for the future.