WTM London will hold its first invite-only Leaders’ Summit for heads of national tourism boards on November 3, organisers said on October 28.
The new event gives tourism office chiefs a closed room the day before ministers meet. It runs alongside the Ministers’ Summit, which marks its 20th edition on November 4 with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and is open to show visitors.
“Our launch this year of the WTM Leaders’ Summit underscores our commitment to facilitating debate at the highest level,” said Chris Carter-Chapman, event director of WTM London.
The summit opens with a working lunch in the Maritime Suite at ExCeL London from 13:00. Spain, WTM’s accessibility partner, will then present on its work on accessible and inclusive travel under the theme “Spain: A Country for All”.
A WTTC panel moderated by Maribel Rodriguez, executive vice president for destinations, will cover the council’s Seven Principles of Investment, with a case study from Puerto Rico. WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara will also speak.
Carter-Chapman said the organisers hoped the gathering would give tourism board leaders constructive time with their peers, and that it would become an annual fixture.
WTM London runs at ExCeL London from November 3-5, with Expedia, Skyscanner and Booking.com executives among speakers on its content stages. The show is organised by RX Global.
