The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed the first list of confirmed speakers for its landmark 25th Global Summit, to be held in Rome from September 28 to 30. Recognized as the most influential event in global tourism, the Summit will gather key decision-makers and industry leaders at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.

The Summit returns to Europe in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT – Italian National Tourist Board, the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region. Over three days, high-level debates will focus on pressing issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and sustainable growth in a sector that contributes nearly 10% of global GDP.

Confirmed speakers include:

• William E. Heinecke, Founder & Chairman, Minor Hotel Group
• Jane Sun, CEO, Trip.com Group
• Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International
• Elie Maalouf, Global CEO, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises
• Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, Visit California
• Zubin Karkaria, Founder & CEO, VFS Global
• Matthew Upchurch, Founder & CEO, Virtuoso
• Decius Valmorbida, President, Amadeus Travel

They will be joined by senior representatives from Microsoft, Google, Indian Hotels Company, OMRAN Group, and Terme & Spa Italia, among others.

A symbolic highlight will mark the event: the handover of the WTTC Chairmanship. Greg O'Hara, Founder of Certares, will pass the role to Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of Heritage Group and Co-Chairman of Abercrombie & Kent.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, noted:

“Rome, with its history and global reach, provides the perfect backdrop for shaping the next decade of tourism through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth.”

Italy’s Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanche, emphasized that the Summit will boost investment opportunities in strategic projects across the country.

The full program, to be released in the coming weeks, will include more high-profile speakers and sessions tackling the industry’s most urgent challenges and its most promising opportunities.