WTTC Urges Public, Private Leaders To Make A Difference In Travel & Tourism Sector

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid BANGKOK, April 26 (Bernama) -- World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has urged over 900 leading figures from the public and private sector to make a real difference in the travel and tourism industry in order to keep people travelling despite concerns over security. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Scowsill said the travel and tourism sector had invigorated the economy by generating over US$7.6 trillion globally and supported over 292 million jobs, which now represents one in 10 jobs worldwide. "The sector has grown faster that the global economy consistently in the last six years and it plays a vital part in the global quest for a more equal, inclusive, as well as sustainable world. "For the sector to continue to thrive, we must focus on three elements – people need to be able to travel, we need successful businesses and we need responsible practices," he said in his opening speech at the launch of the 17th WTTC Global Summit 2017 here, Wednesday. He said the in the face of terrorism and natural disasters, the industry had continued to show resilience as people continue to move around the world. "The fear engendered by dividing us into races or religions destroys the notion that each human being is unique. "I believe wholeheartedly that closed borders lead to closed minds; that travel makes the world a better, more peaceful place, and that human encounters across cultures change us for the better," he added. The two-day summit beginning Wednesday aims at bringing together global leaders from the industry's private and public sectors to explore the theme of ‘Transforming our World’ with a focus on sustainability. Key speakers include former British Prime Minister David Cameron, United Nations World Tourism Organisation Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, Thailand Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and AirAsia Co-Founder and Group CEO Tony Fernandes. -- BERNAMA