Speaking at the UNWTO Regional Conference on Tourism Partnerships in Seoul recently David Scowsill, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), outlined the themes that will feature at the Ministerial Roundtable and inaugural WTTC Asia Summit to be held in Seoul on 10-11 September 2013.
Scowsill told the assembled guests, including Charm Lee, CEO, Korea Tourism Organization, and UNWTO Secretary General,Taleb Rifai, that the WTTC Asia Summit will address what needs to be done to harness the enormous growth potential of the Travel & Tourism industry.
Scowsill said, “With Asia set to dominate world economic growth, Travel & Tourism will play a key role showing 5-7 per cent average increases in the industry’s total contribution to GDP over the next ten years, generating over 47 million new jobs in the region. This regional growth will impact Travel & Tourism around the world, with expanding numbers of Asian travellers making their mark in the global marketplace. The challenges in meeting this growth command the attention of all the global players in the industry, as well as the top political leaders worldwide.”
Scowsill further added that it was appropriate that the WTTC Asia Summit would be held in Seoul, “This Summit of industry leaders from the private and public sectors will take place in South Korea where total contribution to the Korean economy from Travel & Tourism grew by 10 per cent in 2012. South Korea is a recognised world leader of a creative economy, as well as home to many of the largest conglomerates of familiar household brands across the globe.”
The WTTC Asia Summit will provide the opportunity for an exchange between private and public sector, and it will tackle some of the critical pressing issues facing Travel & Tourism in the region today. The Asia Summit will be attended by some of the region’s most influential business leaders and decision makers, joined by speakers who will talk about global trends and key issues that impact the region from other parts of the world.
