In a historic event that promises to redefine the contours of the global Travel and Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has today revealed the bold theme and agenda for its 23rd Global Summit, to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 1 to 3, 2023: "Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future."

This year's highly anticipated Global Summit, which takes place for the first time in Africa, recognizes the phenomenal growth the Travel and Tourism sector has experienced on the continent in recent years.

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC, stated: "This Global Summit is a call to action for leaders, innovators, and change-makers from around the world to come together and design a new vision for the sector. It is an unparalleled opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping a sector that is not only resilient but is also committed to the principles of sustainability and inclusion."

"Rwanda is the perfect location for our Global Summit as the sector embarks on a significant new chapter. Africa has the world's youngest population, and by 2033, 1 in every 13 dollars generated in Africa will come from the Travel and Tourism sector, and 1 in every 17 jobs will be related to this sector. This demonstrates the immense potential the continent's sector has to create new jobs and new economic growth for young people across Africa."

Co-organized by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), this annual event is the most influential on the Travel and Tourism calendar, bringing together thousands of industry leaders, experts, and key government representatives to continue aligning efforts in support of sector growth and progress toward a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

With sessions on resilience and sustainable growth, the growing impact of artificial intelligence, and understanding new and emerging markets, the Global Summit will address the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, expressed, "We are proud to host the first WTTC Global Summit in Africa. While this important gathering will take place in Rwanda, it is for the entire continent. Africa boasts some of the world's most spectacular tourist properties and experiences, and the sector plays a significant role in the continent's ongoing economic development by creating millions of jobs."

"This year's WTTC Global Summit will provide an ideal platform for building bridges across the entire tourism and travel ecosystem and co-designing a sustainable future for the sector, realizing its full potential."

The latest Economic Impact research from the global tourism body reveals a stunning ten-year outlook for the Travel and Tourism sector in Africa. By 2033, WTTC predicts that the Travel and Tourism sector will contribute over $300 billion to the African economy and that sector jobs will grow significantly, reaching over 36 million in total.

In Rwanda, WTTC forecasts that by 2033, the Travel and Tourism sector will contribute over $2.1 billion to the national economy and support nearly 568,000 jobs. This is a testament to Rwanda's commitment to sustainable tourism, diversifying the experiences it offers, and promoting awareness of its rich biodiversity, culture, heritage, and art.

Rwanda aims to double its tourism revenue, from the $445 million generated last year to over $800 million, in its seven-year National Transformation Strategy, and become one of the world's leading luxury ecotourism destinations.

The WTTC 2023 Global Summit aims to be the catalyst for this change, offering a platform where vibrant ideas meet opportunity, and where the future of Travel and Tourism will be redrawn and redefined.