Perth Ascends to Global Stage as WTTC’s Choice for 2024 Summit.

In an unparalleled stride for Oceania, Western Australia has been designated the celebrated host for the 24th World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, slated for late 2024 in Perth. This pivotal event, esteemed as the apex assembly for the travel and tourism sector, will unfurl in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, elevating the region’s status on the global front.

The revelation emerged as curtains closed on the WTTC’s first-ever summit on the African continent, with over 1,200 delegates making history in Kigali, Rwanda. In the company of global business savants like economist Justin Urquhart-Stewart and top executives including David P. Pekoske and Juliet Slot, the summit epitomized the collective wisdom and diversity of the industry, welcoming participants from over 45 nations.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson heralded the Kigali Summit’s success as a reflection of Africa’s robust influence on global tourism. Looking ahead, Simpson expressed ardent anticipation for the next summit, “We are thrilled to take the Global Summit to Western Australia – a beacon of tourism excellence. Perth’s allure, coupled with the region’s renowned hospitality, promises a summit experience like no other.”

This strategic choice shines a light on Perth’s allure and underscores its burgeoning potential in the eyes of the global travel community. Carolyn Turnbull, Managing Director of Tourism WA, acknowledges the summit’s potential to unlock unprecedented regional opportunities. “Welcoming the WTTC Global Summit is more than an economic catalyst; it’s an invitation for global leaders to delve into the investment potential and business vitality of Western Australia,” she stated.

Turnbull also emphasized the transformative impact anticipated from the convergence of industry leaders. “Beyond the economic ripples, this summit will usher in dialogues about trade, aviation routes, and tourism business ventures that will reshape the landscape of our region’s travel sector,” she added.

The Kigali Summit was not only a networking pinnacle but also a platform for insight, with the WTTC unveiling an Africa-focused report that dissected challenges and opportunities within the sector. Additionally, it launched a pioneering report on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB), charting a course for future best practices in travel and tourism.

The event, steered by the influential Thami Nkadimeng, accentuated the critical role of travel and tourism as a unifying force and an engine for economic growth and inclusivity. As Perth anticipates the baton pass in 2024, the city prepares to demonstrate its dynamic landscape, innovative tourism services, and warm Australian hospitality to the world’s leading travel connoisseurs and decision-makers.

With its next chapter set in Western Australia, the WTTC Global Summit is bound to not only foster meaningful conversations but also facilitate tangible outcomes that could redefine travel and tourism for future generations.

Written by: Anne Keam

==================================