Peru to host WTTC Americas Summit in 2014

Peru will host the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Americas Summit, to be held in Lima on 10-11 September 2014. This decision follows President Ollanta Humala receiving the Open Letter from UNWTO and WTTC in 2012 as part of the Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign, in which the Head of State recognises the positive role played by Travel & Tourism in the economic development of their country.

To be held in partnership with MINCETUR, Peru’s tourism ministry, the Americas Summit will bring together the public sector and leading private sector organisations from North, Central, South America and the Caribbean to engage in a constructive debate on a range of global Travel & Tourism issues in the Americas regional context.

Speakers will include CEOs from regional and global hotel companies, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, travel management and online agencies; Ministers of Tourism; high level representatives from the NGO sector and opinion formers from the world of finance, business and the media.

David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC, says: “The Summit will have a pan-American focus and address economic and travel-related issues, which are of vital importance to one of the world’s most important Travel & Tourism regions. Our industry is a major generator of economic wealth and jobs in the region, so the Summit will ask what more the public and private sectors can do to generate long-term sustainable growth in Travel & Tourism in the Americas.”

Travel & Tourism is a major driver of economic growth and job creation across the Americas. According to WTTC economic research, the industry contributes $2 trillion to the economy of the region and accounts for 40 million jobs, with one million jobs forecast to be added every year for the next decade.

According to the latest WTTC research, Travel & Tourism accounts for 9% of Peru’s economy, generating one million jobs or one in 12 of all jobs in the country. Travel & Tourism GDP is larger than that of the education, banking, communication services, higher education, chemicals manufacturing, and automotive manufacturing sectors. In terms of its direct GDP, Travel & Tourism is nearly the same size as that of the education and banking sectors.

David Scowsill adds: “Home to some of the world’s most iconic tourism sites, Peru is a natural venue for WTTC’s Americas Summit. The Government has for many years adopted policies which encourage sustainable tourism and manage sensitively its tourism heritage in places such as Macchu Picchu and the Inca Trail. This strategy has led to continued growth in the size of the Travel & Tourism economy and job creation. The country promises to be a fitting host for our Americas Summit.”

Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism for Peru, Mrs Magali Silva, said: “Due to the relevance and high level of attendees to the WTTC Americas Summit 2014, this event will be an opportunity to showcase the country, promote tourism and tourism investment globally”.