Date: 26 February 2026
The success of the WTTC 2025 Global Summit in Rome, Italy has created a surge in destinations competing to host future editions in the coming years. A record 15 destinations across four continents have formally expressed interest, signalling renewed confidence in the global Travel & Tourism sector.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the private sector in the Travel & Tourism industry, hosts an industry-leading Global Summit each year, bringing together hundreds of chief executives, government ministers and investors to shape the future of one of the world’s fastest growing economic sectors.
Malta is the host of the 2026 Global Summit, to be held in October.
The 15 destinations signalling intent are:
Bahamas, Bahrain, Canada, Colombia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Türkiye and the USA.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said:
“The level of interest we are seeing reflects the strength and resilience of Travel & Tourism worldwide. Hosting a WTTC Global Summit is a powerful statement of economic ambition. It brings global leaders together to shape policy, attract investment and drive sustainable long-term growth.”
Over three days, leaders debate technology, talent, cross-border travel, sustainability, digital transformation, workforce development and long-term investment priorities.
With global Travel & Tourism GDP forecast to grow by 6.7% in 2025 - creating one in four new jobs worldwide – destinations are increasingly seeking to align themselves with the sector’s economic resurgence.
WTTC will now begin a competitive evaluation process, with the 2027 host destination to be announced at the Global Summit in Malta.
For more information about WTTC, please visit wttc.org
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About WTTC:
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global, private sector voice of the Travel & Tourism industry. Its members include the Chairmen/women, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies, spanning airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, technology firms and more. Through this unified membership, WTTC works with governments and international institutions to drive sustainable growth, support exports, create jobs, and deliver prosperity globally.
For more than three decades, WTTC has championed the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. Its rigorous, data-driven research quantifies the sector’s impact — on GDP, employment, exports and wider societal benefits — helping shape policies, raise awareness, and foster public-private collaboration.