As the global travel and tourism sector is set for another record-breaking year, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) this week is hosting its 2025 Global Summit in Rome.
The event opened Sunday with a press conference at the architecturally impressive Auditorium Parco della Musica, featuring WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara, WTTC Chair Greg O’Hara, WTTC Chair-Elect Manfredi Levebvfre, Italian Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, President of Lazio Francesco Rocca, and Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri. Through Tuesday, more than 1,000 delegates, including 310 CEOs and Chairs, will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the industry.
This year’s Summit programme includes sessions focusing on bolstering economic growth and job creation, as well as the power of Artificial intelligence and “seamless travel.” The event will also shine a light on investment opportunities in Italy, and trends such as wellness and sport tourism, luxury rail travel, and the benefits of hosting global mega-events.
The Summit is hosting a lineup of speakers that includes Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who delivered the keynote at the opening ceremony today.
WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara said: “As we welcome the WTTC Global Summit to Rome today, Italy is not only showcasing a thriving Travel & Tourism sector, set to contribute more than €237 billion to the economy this year, it’s also demonstrating true global leadership.”
Greg O’Hara, Outgoing WTTC Chair said: “This Summit brings together the very best of our sector at a pivotal moment for global Travel & Tourism. Here in Rome, against the backdrop of Italy’s extraordinary growth story, we are reminded of the power of our industry to unite people, drive investment, and create opportunity on a scale few others can match.”
Also at the opening ceremony, the WTTC welcomed Manfredi Lefebvre as its new Chair, succeeding O’Hara, who has led the organisation since November 2023.
Said Lefebvre: “As we gather here in Rome, my beloved city, for the WTTC Global Summit, I am reminded of the incredible potential our industry holds. Italy, with its rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit, not only stands as a beacon of tourism but also as a model for collaboration and growth. This summit is a unique opportunity for us to share insights, forge partnerships, and drive forward the agenda of sustainable development within our sector.
Europe at the Heart of Global Travel Industry
At the Global Summit, the WTTC revealed that Europe remains “the beating heart of international tourism,” with five of the world’s top 10 most powerful travel and tourism markets by GDP located on the continent.
Topping all European markets was Germany, which contributed US $525.5 billion to its GDP through the travel and tourism market in 2024. In fourth place was the U.K. at US $367.2 billion. France (No. 6), Spain (No 8.) and Italy (No. 10) all saw contributions between US $248 and $290 billion to its GDP via travel and tourism spending.
France was also named the most visited destination in the world, with Spain coming in second.
“This broad-based growth demonstrates Europe’s ability to blend heritage with innovation, maintain global competitiveness, and lead the way in sustainable tourism development,” the WTTC said.
With this in mind, Guevara said the WTTC is forecasting that the travel and tourism sector will contribute US $2.1 trillion to global GDPs in 2025, surpassing the previous high of US $1.9 trillion in pre-pandemic 2019.
