During a press conference at the closing of the WTTC Global Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC, emphasized the significance of the first summit in Africa, describing the continent as a land full of opportunities and cultural wealth. "Africa is a continent full of promising countries, rich cultural heritage, impressive architecture, deep history, and lush nature," stated Simpson, enthusiastic about the tourism potential yet to be discovered.

"Many know Africa for its exciting safaris and lush jungles, but there is much more to discover here," added Simpson, highlighting the region's historical richness, from the iconic pyramids of Egypt to the majestic mountains of Rwanda, characterized by their lush vegetation and peaceful, secure environment. "It's an incredibly welcoming and friendly place, and personally, coming from Europe, I firmly believe in opening people's doors and eyes to the wonders of this continent," emphasized Simpson.

Speaking about the impact of tourism globally, Simpson underscored its importance in job creation and its significant contribution to the global economy. "After the pandemic, we suffered a significant loss in the market, but this year, in many countries, we are surpassing the tourism levels recorded in 2019, faster than expected," shared Simpson, highlighting the sector's resilience in challenging times. "Every $10 on this planet comes from tourism, and every 10 jobs, one is generated thanks to tourism. Its social and economic power is of significant magnitude," stated firmly.

Regarding promotion and marketing strategies, Simpson emphasized the importance of social media in the current tourism sector. "Social media plays a crucial role, as travelers now tend to consume and plan their trips through these platforms," she explained, emphasizing the need for a strong and attractive presence in the digital world to attract modern travelers. "Social media marketing has become an essential tool to capture travelers' attention and motivate them to discover new destinations," she concluded.

Simpson also praised governments' efforts in boosting tourism, acknowledging their fundamental role in fostering stronger economies and formal job generation. "Tourism can be a key engine for the transition from an informal economy to a formal economy, generating employment and tax revenue that contribute to the sustainable development of many nations," Simpson emphasized, highlighting the importance of close collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting and developing tourism globally.

During the summit, the WTTC presented its first global report on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in the Travel and Tourism industry. The report, developed in collaboration with HospitableMe and supported by AIG Travel, provides comprehensive data on key metrics such as gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and education in the sector. The report revealed that the Travel and Tourism sector has been a key employer for diverse demographic groups, promoting inclusion at different levels and in different regions.

Additionally, Greg O'Hara was announced as the new incoming President of the WTTC, succeeding Arnold Donald. Simpson praised Donald's work and expressed her excitement to work with O'Hara in the future, highlighting his deep knowledge and experience in the industry. This change in leadership and the launch of the DEIB report mark significant milestones for the WTTC, highlighting its continued commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainability in the global Travel and Tourism industry.