Rwanda, known for its commitment to sustainable tourism and biodiversity conservation, is proud to co-host the 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit currently underway in Kigali. The annual summit brings together industry leaders and government representatives to discuss and align efforts for the recovery of the travel and tourism sector. This year, the WTTC Global Summit is centered around the theme 'Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future,' aiming to advance towards a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

This first WTTC gathering in Africa brings together the most influential personalities in the global tourism industry. Rwanda, recognized as the land of a thousand hills, presents itself as an outstanding host, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes and its warm and friendly people, offering unique experiences in one of the most extraordinary countries in the world. With its extraordinary biodiversity and unique wildlife inhabiting volcanoes, mountainous rainforests, and expansive plains, Rwanda has rightfully earned the position of hosting this prestigious summit.

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC, expressed her enthusiasm about the World Summit, emphasizing that this event is an opportunity for leaders, innovators, and change agents from around the world to come together and forge a new vision for the sector. She also highlighted the importance of African youth, noting that by 2033, the tourism sector will be responsible for creating an impressive number of jobs on the continent.

The program of the WTTC Global Summit promises to be groundbreaking with the participation of industry leaders and ministers in a high-level dialogue. The "Global Leaders' Dialogue" is a moderated space where ministers and CEOs will share their priorities and concerns, aiming to identify opportunities for greater mutual support and a stronger public-private collaboration. This year, the WTTC forecasts that investment in Travel and Tourism will increase by 11.5% in 2023 and is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2025. However, the industry is facing growing environmental risks and scrutiny of its social impacts. In this context, the dialogue focuses on investment in sustainability. Through data and information on investment, as well as the environmental and social impact of the sector, leaders will share their experiences and priorities in aligning investment with broader objectives related to nature, people, and communities.

The second day of the summit features a series of notable speeches and presentations. The day begins with opening speeches welcoming the participants, delivered by Arnold Donald, Francis Gatare, and Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC. Subsequently, a presidential panel entitled "Leading Innovation and Building Bridges" will address topics ranging from inspiring tourism experiences to lessons on nature conservation. It will emphasize that Africa has the world's youngest population, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa's inhabitants under the age of 30, making it the future of the industry. However, the challenges that the continent still faces in terms of its perception, international and intra-regional travel, and the necessary focus areas to achieve its goals will be discussed.

Later, a panel entitled "Clearing the Pathway" will focus on connectivity and access to incredible destinations. With the expectation that international arrivals will reach 96% of 2019 levels in the fourth quarter of 2023, the importance of connectivity in Africa and the world will be discussed. Furthermore, lessons that the global community can apply to other regions to ensure that travel continues to drive the global economy, as it has done for decades, will be analyzed. This panel promises to provide valuable insights for the future of the tourism and travel industry.

Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, emphasized the importance of the summit not only for Rwanda but for the entire African continent. He highlighted the potential of the tourism sector in generating employment and economic development in Africa, while underscoring Rwanda's efforts to become a prominent luxury ecotourism destination.

The 2023 WTTC Global Summit aims to serve as a catalyst for change in the sector, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and opportunities, and redefining the future of travel and tourism. For more information about the summit and how to participate, interested parties are invited to visit www.wttc.org. To discover more about Rwanda, one can visit www.visitrwanda.com.