Travel & Tourism will come out of this crisis stronger and better by working together to achieve recovery both financially and socially. That is why our theme for this year was 'Uniting the World for Recovery'. By turning this crisis into an opportunity, we can make sure the sector becomes more inclusive and more sustainable.

As part of our ongoing Sustainability focus, we worked with Xpansiv, a global market for ESG-inclusive commodities, to carbon offset the Summit. A solar project in Baja California Sur, Mexico and a forestry project that contributes to social and economic development in one of the poorest areas of Guatemala, are two projects that we have bought so far.

"We work in an industry that creates joy. Travel & Tourism lifts up communities, provides good jobs and creates businesses all over the world." Arnold Donald, WTTC Chair

As the sector accelerates recovery, we need to redouble the efforts to remove barriers to mobility such as quarantines, focus on testing, and accelerate the vaccination rollout globally, while continuing to support health and safety protocols.

Together the private and public sectors in Travel & Tourism can drive change and get the world moving again so that we can continue traveling, exploring, and sharing experiences face-to-face maximizing the amazing benefits that the sector brings.

The 2021 WTTC Global Summit took place from 25 – 27 April at Moon Palace Expo and Convention Centre in Cancun Mexico. The Global Summit was the first international, live event of the Travel & Tourism sector globally following the COVID-19 pandemic. WTTC successfully hosted over 30,000 virtual delegates and more than 600 in-person delegates from over 40 countries, implementing rigorous Health & Safety protocols and measures to ensure the safety of all attendees and the effective execution of the Summit.

This document outlines the measures undertaken by WTTC to orchestrate a safe and secure Global Summit and the results of these measures. During the Global Summit, 1450 PCR & Antigen tests were undertaken between the 19 and 29 of April 2021, 99.8% of which returned negative, with only 3 individuals testing positive, 2 on arrival and 1 on departure.

WTTC hopes that by sharing these measures other event organisers and destinations will realise that organising successful large meetings and events can be done if appropriate measures are in place. 

SUMMIT DELIVERY

The following protocols were implemented to ensure the successful delivery of the Global Summit onsite:

1. Staff were transported from the airport to venue by Amstar.

2. All staff arriving prior to the 23 April undertook an antigen test immediately on arrival and were only given wristband on receipt of their negative test.

3. Staff were tested every 72 hours.

4. All International delegates or delegates arriving by plane were transported to Summit venue by Amstar.

5. All delegates were tested on arrival to Summit venue by Circular lab or in their hotel by Palace laboratories. Only
on receipt of negative test were they able to check in/ get day pass and collect Summit badge.

6. Temperature checks were in place before entering the Summit venue, a personal 70% alcohol sanitiser was provided at registration and sanitisation points were positioned throughout venue.

7. If an attendee was onsite longer than 72 hours, a second test was required.

8. Mask wearing was mandated in all indoor venues, only being removed to eat, or drink.

9. Physical distancing was enforced by all seats being a minimum of 1.5 meters apart throughout indoor venues.