Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Karina Giorgenello, Special Correspondent) - Within the framework of the World Tourism Day celebration in Saudi Arabia, I had the privilege of conversing with Julia Simpson, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a prominent figure who has focused her efforts on highlighting the importance of tourism as a job creator and driver of global economic growth.

In a post-COVID context, Julia Simpson emphasized the revival of tourism, noting an increasing desire among people to resume traveling. "When people travel, they significantly contribute to the improvement of economies and foster understanding among people and cultures, which is of utmost importance," she stated in the interview (video).

The numbers supporting her statement are astonishing. According to Simpson, tourism is on track to grow at twice the rate of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next 10 years, with a projected growth rate of 5%, while the global GDP is expected to grow at 2.4%. In the current year, tourism has generated an incredible figure of $9.7 trillion, which, if considered a country, would make it the third-largest economy in the world.

Julia Simpson also shared exciting news about the upcoming WTTC summit. This year's summit will take place in Rwanda, a country that has overcome genocide and emerged united and enlightened. Rwanda has become a safe and welcoming tourist destination with a focus on wildlife conservation, including the mountain gorilla, a species that was on the brink of extinction.

Finally, Julia Simpson highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in tourism, pointing to a historic agreement between the WTTC and the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, signed during World Tourism Day in Riyadh. This agreement, with an investment of $800 billion by Saudi Arabia, aims to unlock the potential of its landscapes and cultural treasures for travelers worldwide, with a focus on sustainable growth, job creation, and talent development in the sector.

In the words of Julia Simpson, "Together, we can continue to create a powerful synergy that will open doors to endless opportunities, benefiting travelers, businesses, and destinations alike."

The Memorandum of Understanding between the WTTC and Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in promoting sustainable tourism and public-private collaboration for a more prosperous and sustainable future in the tourism industry.