The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the full programme for its 26th Global Summit in Valletta, Malta. The event will bring together more than 100 global speakers from the public and private sectors.
Held under the theme “FUTU[RE]SET,” the two-day summit will bring together CEOs, ministers, policymakers, tourism authorities and other senior leaders. They will discuss the trends and challenges shaping the future of global Travel & Tourism.
Global Leaders to Gather in Malta
The WTTC Global Summit 2026 will feature leaders from G20 economies and other markets. Representatives from international institutions, governments and major Travel & Tourism companies will also attend.
The programme will cover the wider tourism ecosystem, including:
- Airlines and airports
- Hotels and cruise companies
- Destinations and tourism authorities
- Technology companies
- Investors
- Government and international organisations
The discussions will focus on WTTC’s eight strategic priorities. These include safe and seamless travel, destination stewardship, sustainability, emerging technologies and AI, crisis preparedness, connectivity, workforce development and investment.
Global Leaders Dialogue to Focus on Industry Challenges
A key part of the summit will be the Global Leaders Dialogue. Ministers, policymakers and business leaders will discuss the future competitiveness of Travel & Tourism.
The programme will feature two moderator-led discussions. Each session will bring together eight ministers and four global CEOs for an exchange of views on the sector’s future.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said the summit comes as Travel & Tourism faces changes driven by AI, technology, traveller expectations, geopolitics and investment patterns.
WTTC to Launch Youth Movement
The summit will also mark the launch of the WTTC Youth Movement, a new initiative focused on engaging young people with careers in Travel & Tourism.
The programme will bring together around 90 students and 10 professors from 16 partner institutions, representing more than 30 nationalities.
Participants will engage with industry leaders, join summit discussions and take part in networking opportunities. They will also contribute to a youth-led Malta Declaration.
Focus on Travel & Tourism SMEs
WTTC will also use the summit to advance its Together in Travel initiative.
The programme aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which WTTC says represent around 85% of the global Travel & Tourism community.
The initiative provides businesses with tools, industry insights and networking opportunities. WTTC is working toward building a community of one million Travel & Tourism SMEs.
Key Topics on the 2026 Summit Agenda
The FUTU[RE]SET programme will address several major issues affecting the sector.
Sessions will cover topics including:
- Digital identity and border experiences
- Artificial intelligence in travel
- Travel & Tourism SMEs
- Industry resilience
- Destination stewardship
- The future of mobility
- Accessible tourism
- Investment in Travel & Tourism
The summit will also examine the future traveller, luxury and wellness tourism, India’s growing role in global tourism, Europe’s competitiveness, investment trends and next-generation leadership.
Summit to Conclude With Future Industry Priorities
The event will conclude with “Moving Forward Together,” featuring Gloria Guevara, WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio and Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef.
The session will review the key themes and actions emerging from the summit. WTTC will also announce the host destination for the 2027 WTTC Global Summit.
