At the G20 Tourism Ministers meeting, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) emphasized the crucial role of tourism not only in economic terms but also in its capacity to promote social and environmental progress. Under the Brazilian presidency, global leaders gathered in Belém, Brazil, for the ministerial meeting on tourism, where the next steps to address key issues were outlined.

During her address at the G20 Tourism Ministers meeting in Belém, Brazil, Julia Simpson, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), highlighted the unstoppable growth of the tourism sector. Simpson stated that travel and tourism would not only drive global economic development but also create tens of millions of jobs in G20 economies, surpassing almost all other industries this decade.

Julia Simpson also said, "Beyond economics, tourism is uniquely positioned to drive social and environmental progress, made possible through effective public-private partnerships." Among the topics discussed were the sustainable development of tourism, technical training, and strengthening the sector as a driver of socioeconomic development.

Additionally, the WTTC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, presented a new report titled "Social Trends in Travel and Tourism Employment," which analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment in the global tourism sector. This study, based on data from 185 economies between 2019 and 2022, reveals a worrying reality: although the sector has shown signs of recovery, women and youth remain the most affected, facing greater challenges in re-entering the workforce compared to other groups.

The Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to supporting youth and female employment in the tourism sector, in line with Vision 2030. This strategic plan aims to diversify the country’s economy and strengthen key sectors like tourism while promoting equity and social inclusion.

During the event, Julia Simpson and Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of the Council, participated in roundtables dedicated to discussing the next steps toward a more inclusive and sustainable tourism industry. The WTTC also highlighted that, although Brazil is emerging as a vibrant tourism market, less than 5% of its tourism revenue comes from international visitors, indicating significant growth potential.

According to WTTC research, Travel & Tourism is projected to contribute a staggering 10.8% to the G20 economy by 2034, totaling USD 9.36 trillion, and creating over 307 million jobs.

“Collaboration is imperative to meet our goals and create a sustainable and inclusive future for the Travel & Tourism sector,” stressed John Elieson, Chief Operating Officer of Travelport.
“I hope that G20 tourism ministers and officials, who lead the world, will push forward ideas on shaping sustainable tourism,” said Hiroyuki Takahashi, Chairman of the Board at JTB Corp.