Valletta, Malta, October 9, 2026. – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) concluded its 26th Global Summit in Valletta, bringing together more than 1,000 participants, including over 200 CEOs, business leaders and government representatives from around the world to address the key challenges and opportunities shaping the global Travel & Tourism sector.

The Summit focused on strategic issues including investment, connectivity, technology and artificial intelligence, talent development, destination competitiveness and sustainable growth.

The global geopolitical and economic environment was also at the center of the discussions, highlighting the role of Travel & Tourism as a bridge between countries and cultures. Among the high-profile speakers were former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, who offered different perspectives on international cooperation, leadership and the role of tourism in an increasingly complex global environment.

Justin Trudeau: geopolitics also affects tourism

Justin Trudeau warned that political decisions and geopolitical tensions can have a direct impact on a country's international reputation and, consequently, its ability to attract visitors.

The former Canadian prime minister noted that a destination may offer competitive prices and an attractive tourism product, but still lose travelers if its international image creates uncertainty or if visitors do not feel welcome.

Trudeau also highlighted Travel & Tourism as a tool for international cooperation. Referring to Canada and Mexico, he recalled that eliminating visa requirements for Mexican travelers helped strengthen bilateral trust and subsequently facilitated broader trade negotiations in North America.

His remarks reinforced one of the Summit's central messages: tourism is influenced not only by destination promotion, but also by the political, economic and social environment in which the industry operates.

Aznar addresses Europe's competitiveness and global leadership

Former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar brought a broader perspective on the geopolitical and economic transformations affecting Europe and the world.

Aznar, who led the Spanish government from 1996 to 2004, addressed issues including leadership, Europe's future competitiveness and the importance of strengthening international cooperation.

His participation added to the discussion about the strategic role of Travel & Tourism as an industry capable of connecting economies, cultures and societies at a time of profound changes in international relations.

Travel & Tourism continues to grow

The Summit opened with the WTTC's latest economic outlook. According to the organization, Travel & Tourism is expected to grow by 3.1% in Europe and 2.5% globally in 2026, outperforming the broader economy.

The figures reinforced the sector's position as a major driver of global economic activity and highlighted the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, connectivity, innovation and talent.

The Summit also addressed child protection and the need to engage younger generations with the industry. In this context, WTTC officially launched WTTC Youth Movement, a long-term initiative designed to connect with young people, understand their aspirations and showcase the wide range of career opportunities available across Travel & Tourism.

New Delhi to host the WTTC Global Summit in 2027

One of the key announcements at the close of the Summit was the confirmation that India will host the next WTTC Global Summit in 2027, with the event taking place in New Delhi.

India was selected following a competitive process in which 21 destinations expressed interest in hosting the world's leading Travel & Tourism gathering.

The country enters the next Summit with a growing role in the global tourism economy. According to WTTC figures, Travel & Tourism contributed US$263.6 billion to India's economy in 2025 and supported 46.2 million jobs, representing more than one in ten jobs across the country.

The announcement places New Delhi at the center of the global Travel & Tourism agenda for 2027, following a Malta Summit that underscored the importance of geopolitics, innovation, investment, talent, sustainability and the industry's ability to build bridges between countries.