“It is critical that governments and industry work together to safely re-open borders with systematic COVID-19 testing. Some 46 million jobs are at risk. The historic participation of industry in this G-20 summit is a good start to the government-industry partnership that will be needed to revive the travel and tourism economy on which 10% of global GDP depends.”
Alexandre de Juniac
Director General and CEO, IATA
"Governments and industry have been working hard through ICAO to develop and align effective pandemic COVID-19 responses in air transport, and to reconnect the world of travel and tourism. Hundreds of millions of people and businesses all over the world are depending on these efforts, and this WTTC event provided an invaluable opportunity to underscore these points to G20 private and public sector leaders."
Dr. Fang Liu
Secretary General, ICAO
"We need measures that create bridges between sectors and countries, backed by strong and unprecedented policy co-ordination at the international level, that is why I welcome the “100 Million Jobs Recovery Plan” put forward by the World Travel & Tourism Council. It represents the kind of concrete multilateral action, uniting public and private sectors, that the world urgently needs."
Guy Ryder
Director-General, ILO
“It was an honour to have the opportunity to speak at this important event. The travel and tourism sector has been a major driver in global economic growth over the last 5 years and it is imperative that we all work together to restart international travel in a safe and efficient manner.”
Arnold Donald
North American Vice-Chair and President & CEO, Carnival Corporation
“Be in no doubt; Covid-19 has led to the worst crisis in the history of commercial global aviation. To ensure the industry’s survival we are calling for a common global approach to testing and the creation of regional air corridors so that we can get more flights back in the air, and the global economy moving, as soon as possible. Governments must act fast and work together before it’s too late.”
Alex Cruz
Chairman and Chief Executive, British Airways
“The travel and tourism industry plays a critical role in the global economy and in communities all over the world. The pace and strength at which a recovery can be supported is therefore of great importance. Collaboration between government and industry is absolutely key to this and I am incredibly encouraged by the level of partnership and commitment we’ve seen at this historic G20 meeting.”
Keith Barr
CEO, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
"We cannot underestimate the power of the public and private sector coming together to support each other and helping rebuild the hospitality industry. We recognised this importance earlier this year, and played a leading role in the development of the World Travel and Tourism (WTTC)’s “Safe Travels” protocols, a global hospitality framework for a safe return to business. Today, more so than ever, we need to make sure that the travel industry, public sector, and private sector have a common global understanding and plan in place to ensure and protect the safety of travellers, partners, and team members while our industry continues to recover, rebuild, and reopen its doors."
Federico J González
CEO, Radisson Hospitality
"We are currently going through an extraordinary time which has revealed the need for an evolution of public-private collaboration. Communication must be improved, and we need to define clear commitments that will allow us to go through this crisis with the least impact on employment and the tourism economy. Today's meeting between the G20 and 45 CEOs of the tourism industry is a historic milestone. International collaboration is essential to return to business and to strengthen the social, economic and environmental sustainability of our companies."
Sabina Fluxà Thienemann
Vice-Chairman & CEO, Iberostar
“At this crossroads in history for the global travel industry, when it is more important than ever that we all think and act together, countries must agree on common criteria and indicators to allow the tourism flows, whilst ensuring the maximum level of health security. Within the WTTC we are all aligned and speak with one voice, ready to move forward together towards the reopening of borders as the first step in the sustainable recovery of travel.”
Gabriel Escarrer
Executive-Chairman and CEO, Meliá Hotels International
“Travel is a resilient industry, and a fundamental part of so many of our lives. I am delighted that everyone is coming together to not only discuss about the industry but to also share our passion for travel. The current trends we’ve observed in the China market are encouraging, and we are confident that coupled with the guarantees, measures and innovations we’ve introduced, we’ll continue to see promising growth and new heights for the industry in the near future.”
Jane Sun
CEO & Director, Trip.com
“I am deeply grateful to have attended such a conference and had the opportunity to work together for recovery. What is required of us now is to provide safe and secure travel and to realize a society in which travelers and residents can coexist. I would like to make an effort to realise it.”
Tadashi Fujita
Representative Director, Executive President, Japan Airlines
“In the midst of one of the greatest challenges that our global economy and society has ever faced, I’m heartened that governments around the world are taking a particular interest in our sector. Our sector is uniquely important to both economic productivity and personal wellbeing and we are suffering disproportionately. There are many data points thus far that should serve to encourage people to return to life and travel as we knew it. We need global governments’ assistance to re-install traveler confidence by communicating information clearly and objectively.”
Greg O'Hara
Founder and Managing Partner, Certares
“This loss of mobility has devastated the travel and tourism sector worldwide. Governments across the globe are looking to the aviation industry for a solution that minimises the risk of infection whilst getting the world’s people – and its economies – moving again. There are three essential steps required to create this outcome. A common testing procedure that is quick, accurate and easy to administer, a unified approach to testing, isolation and protection protocol and the establishment of bilateral agreements between countries, agreeing to adopt these measures. We need to act now to make travel safe again.”
Paul Griffiths
CEO, Dubai Airports
“It was an honour to be part of the historic G20 Tourism Meeting. In India, travel and hospitality contributes 9.3 per cent to the overall Indian GDP and accounts for over 8 per cent of India’s total employment. It is therefore imperative to come together and focus on the revival of the sector across the globe with optimism, hope and unity in solidarity of the industry. It is important for governments and the private sector across the world to collaborate and set standardized protocols which includes rapid testing procedures, establishing consistent global quarantine practices or creating a framework for synchronized global contact tracking. A unified approach will allow us to build the new age of travel, stronger and better than ever, whilst inspiring traveller confidence.”
Mr. Puneet Chhatwal
MD & CEO, Indian Hotels Company Limited (Taj)
“Tourism has become one of the world’s most important economic contributors, creating one in 10 jobs globally. We have a huge and privileged responsibility as tourism industry stakeholders to come together and collaborate during a time of such important need – for we are stronger as a united voice, and industry job recovery will be aided more quickly with an approach that is both consistent and united internationally. Being part of this historic event, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosts the G20 Presidency for the first time, has been a true honour, and we look forward to spearheading continued public-private sector partnerships to ensure an accelerated recovery and a fast and safe resumption of international travel. I’d like to profoundly thank both HRH The Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and the Minister of Tourism His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, for their constant, consistent leadership, and for providing the resources to promote Saudi Arabia and global tourism. Thank you to Gloria Guevara and WTTC for this extraordinary initiative and for the opportunity to be part of the 100 million jobs recovery plan.”
Jerry Inzerillo
CEO, Diriyah Gate Development Authority