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Summit debates impact of key influencers

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wttc - Flashback- A session underway at WTTC Global Summit 2015

The influence of geopolitical shifts, global sustainability accords and technological developments will be the focus of the 16th annual World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit taking place in Dallas, US.

The summit, on April 6 and 7, will look at how these issues will transform the way businesses will work, transact and report for years to come. It will showcase how business and governments are taking the big and bold actions needed to truly drive the innovation of systems, processes, services and products in order to capitalise on opportunities and reduce the threats of future travel and tourism growth.

WTTC, a non-profit organisation, has been the voice of travel and tourism sector globally and its members are the chairs, presidents and chief executives of the world’s leading private sector travel and tourism businesses. These members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of growth. WTTC member companies annually account for in excess of $680 billion turnover.

It also promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity.

This year will mark the 25th anniversary of WTTC and the summit will be a celebration of this milestone occasion.

The WTTC Global Summit is established as the key annual event in the travel and tourism calendar – a place where people meet, where business is done and ideas are exchanged.

The summit agenda addresses the major issues that are top of mind for political and industry leaders and is attended by some of the sector’s most influential CEOs and policy makers.

David Scowsill, president and CEO, WTTC, said: 'The influence of the recent geopolitical shifts, global sustainability accords, and technological developments, together with ever-demanding consumers, is transforming the way businesses work, transact and report. These are interesting times for this sector: challenges around safety triggered by terrorist attacks and migration have sparked many debates on border security; new technologies have continued to drive visa facilitation and retailing opportunities; exchange rate movements have put major pressures on key markets; oil price fluctuations have brought some benefits for consumers and some hardships for economies.'

The thought-provoking summit programme will address the theme 'Travel Beyond Boundaries', inviting renowned influencers on stage to discuss the issues that are impacting the unsteady global economic climate in general and this sector in particular.

Scowsill added: 'I am extremely pleased that the US government is expressing its commitment to travel and tourism as the summit welcomes Penny Pritzker, US Secretary of Commerce, who will address the importance of public and private partnerships.'

By the end of 2015, travel and tourism would have contributed $7.86 trillion or 10 per cent of the global GDP, supporting 284 million jobs – one in 11 jobs globally.

WTTC Global Summit programme highlights include:

• Jeremy Rifkin, advisor to the European Union and president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, will share his views on how technology is changing business as he discusses global mega trends;

• Jeffrey Sachs, American economist and director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, will address disease and migration and the role of the travel and tourism sector in tackling these two major global issues;

• PW Singer, security specialist, will talk about Cyber and Data Security, and whether the current demand for enhanced security warrants giving up some of our personal freedom.

• Barry Diller, CEO and chairman, IAC and founder of Expedia, will be interviewed on his predictions for the future of travel and tourism, along with the latest trends.

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