by Vanessa Martínez del Río
With the objective of creating consciousness of the importance of the Travel and Tourism industry to the world’s economy, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) meets annually with leaders in the public and private sectors to cover an agenda of subjects that provide solutions to issues and fresh ideas to the industry. The Travel and Tourism industry generates 225 million jobs and contributes 9% of global GDP.
For this inaugural edition of the Regional Summit of the Americas, held May 16th-18th at resort Grand Velas Riviera Maya, the WTTC assembled leaders from throughout the region as well as non-government organizations and hospitality, airline, wholesale travel, online travel agency and media directors to discuss the theme “Travel and Tourism: Generating jobs now and in the future”.
The welcome ceremony took place during a private dinner on host resort Grand Velas’ beach, presided over by President of Mexico Felipe Calderon. He emphasized, before 400 event guests, the importance of changing our approach to the tourism industry so that it may be seen for what it is: a generator of employment. Other highlights of President Calderon’s speech, which received a standing ovation from several tables, included pledging the support of the Mexican government to make Mexico a worldwide destination for tourism and stating that tourism should be considered on the agendas of sustainable, long-term economic growth.
Among the attendees were Gloria Guevara– Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Michael Frenzel– Director of the Executive Committee of TUI AG, actor Robert Redford and Mexican businessman Carlos Slim– President of Grupo Carso.