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Date: 7 October 2026
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration between the global Travel & Tourism sector and the international meetings and business events industry.
The agreement, signed during WTTC’s 26th Global Summit in Valletta, Malta, establishes a framework for the two organisations to work together on research, advocacy, events and data alignment, with the shared objective of strengthening the evidence base and policy voice around the contribution of international meetings and business events to destinations and economies worldwide.
International meetings and business events are an integral part of the wider Travel & Tourism economy, driving visitor spending, investment, employment and knowledge exchange across destinations. The new partnership will seek to further demonstrate that contribution and ensure the value of the sector is clearly understood by policymakers and stakeholders.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “International business events are a powerful engine for Travel & Tourism, driving visitor spending, supporting jobs and creating opportunities that extend well beyond the event itself.
Our partnership with ICCA will strengthen advocacy for the business events sector through enhanced collaboration, research and engagement. By bringing together our research and global networks, we can give governments and industry leaders a clearer picture of the value of business events and help create the conditions for greater investment, connectivity and sustainable growth.”
Under the MOU, WTTC and ICCA will explore opportunities for joint research, including reports, briefings and case studies examining the economic, social and environmental contribution of international meetings and business events to Travel & Tourism and host destinations. The organisations will also share relevant research plans to identify opportunities for collaboration and avoid duplication.
The partnership will also support greater consistency in how the contribution of international meetings and business events is defined, measured and communicated within the wider Travel & Tourism economy.
This will include exploring opportunities to compare methodologies, exchange relevant data and develop common reference figures that can be used in communications and advocacy.
WTTC and ICCA will also explore opportunities for coordinated advocacy on issues affecting both Travel & Tourism and the international meetings industry.
Areas identified for potential collaboration include travel facilitation and visas, connectivity, taxation, sustainability and workforce development, with joint statements, submissions and engagement with governments and intergovernmental organisations considered on a case-by-case basis.
The organisations will also strengthen links between their respective global platforms, with each party inviting the other to flagship events, including the WTTC Global Summit and ICCA Congress, and considering appropriate speaking, panel and programme opportunities.
The agreement reflects a shared recognition that international meetings and business events are not separate from the Travel & Tourism economy, but an important part of its wider ecosystem connecting destinations with international visitors, businesses, investment and knowledge.
The partnership forms part of WTTC’s wider commitment to strengthening collaboration across the global Travel & Tourism sector and supporting policies that enable sustainable growth, investment, connectivity and opportunity.
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For more information about WTTC, please visit wttc.org
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About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global body representing the private sector of Travel & Tourism and the leading authority on the sector’s economic and social contribution worldwide. Its members include Chairmen, Presidents and CEOs of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology platforms and destinations, spanning every major region globally.
WTTC works to advance sustainable growth across the Travel & Tourism sector by driving collaboration between industry leaders and governments, shaping global policy, and providing authoritative research on the sector’s economic impact worldwide.