The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism.
We are committed to driving sustainable growth for the Travel & Tourism sector by collaborating with governments and international institutions to create jobs, boost exports, and foster prosperity.
The Council’s Members are the influential Chairs or Chief Executives of leading global Travel & Tourism companies, representing various geographies and industries, including hotels, airlines, airports, tour operators, cruise, car rental, travel agents, and rail, as well as the emerging sharing economy. This collective power enables them to advocate for the industry's interests with one unified voice to governments and international bodies.
WTTC’s journey
In the 1980s, Former American Express CEO, James D. Robinson III, spearheaded a group of business executives to emphasise the significant economic and social contributions of the Travel & Tourism sector. Recognising the need for comprehensive data to demonstrate the industry's impact, which some had dismissed as non-essential, the group took action.
The World Travel & Tourism Council was officially established in 1990 to champion the industry's cause. The inaugural annual general meeting convened in Washington D.C. in 1991, with the council comprising 32 members at the time.
Today, WTTC stands as a dominant global force in the industry, with 200 companies now represented on the Council, collectively accounting for two-thirds of a trillion US dollars in turnover, equivalent to 30% of the entire sector.
Uniting SMEs
WTTC is embarking on a new mission to unite and empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Travel & Tourism sector. 'Together in Travel' is a WTTC network exclusively for SMEs, offering them access to the latest industry insights and enabling them to contribute to the broader industry narrative. This platform provides SMEs with opportunities to glean valuable insights from key players in the Travel & Tourism industry as well as benefit from WTTC’s influential advocacy.
Find out more about Together in Travel
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