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Date: 11 June 2026
Valletta will take centre stage this October as the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) brings together the world's most influential Travel & Tourism leaders for its Global Summit, taking place from 7–9 October 2026.
The Summit will convene CEOs, government ministers, investors and key stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of global travel, strengthen public-private collaboration, and explore pathways for sustainable growth and investment.
As Malta prepares to host a major Travel & Tourism event, the country's own tourism success story provides a compelling backdrop. According to WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research, Travel & Tourism is forecast to contribute US$4.9 billion to Malta's economy in 2026, accounting for 16.9% of GDP and supporting 72,200 jobs across the country - equivalent to more than one in five jobs nationwide.
These figures reinforce Malta's position as one of Europe's most dynamic and tourism-driven economies, while highlighting the important role Travel & Tourism continues to play in driving growth, investment and opportunity across the country.
Over the past decade, Malta has emerged as a reference point of how destinations can balance strong tourism growth with quality, sustainability and year-round value creation. International arrivals have increased from 2.75 million in 2019 to four million in 2025.
This success is underpinned by a resilient and well-diversified demand base. In 2025, Malta's international visitor mix was led by the United Kingdom (21%), followed by Italy (15%) and Poland (10%), with France and Germany each contributing 7%.
International visitor spending is projected to surpass US$4 billion this year, up from US$3.9 billion in 2025, when it accounted for 91% of total Travel & Tourism expenditure. It is forecast to rise further to US$5 billion by 2036. Domestic visitor spending is also set to maintain its upward momentum, reaching US$378.5 million in 2026.
Looking ahead, WTTC forecasts that by 2036 Travel & Tourism will contribute US$6.5 billion to Malta's economy and support more than 90,000 jobs, accounting for almost a quarter of all employment nationwide.
Valletta becomes the global stage for shaping the future of Travel & Tourism
From 7–9 October, Valletta will become the meeting place for the world's most influential Travel & Tourism leaders. CEOs, government ministers, investors and innovators from across the sector will gather in Malta to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of travel, share insights on growth and investment, and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said: "Valletta provides an extraordinary setting for the conversations that will define the future of global Travel & Tourism. As one of Europe's most historic and vibrant capitals, it offers the ideal backdrop for leaders to come together and explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector's future and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.
This event will be hosted in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and the Government of Malta.
Malta represents exactly the kind of destination that is helping shape the future of Travel & Tourism. The country stands not only as a host nation, but as a destination that demonstrates how Travel & Tourism can drive prosperity, create opportunities and deliver long-term value for communities and businesses alike.
With the sector set to support one in five jobs and contribute close to 17% of GDP, Malta demonstrates the transformative power of Travel & Tourism when it is guided by strategic vision, collaboration and innovation.
We look forward to welcoming leaders from across the global Travel & Tourism sector to Malta this October for WTTC's Global Summit.”
Hon. Ian Borg, Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, said: "When Malta committed to hosting WTTC's Global Summit, it reflected our confidence in the strength of our tourism sector and our belief in its importance to our country's future prosperity. The remarkable growth highlighted in WTTC’s latest numbers demonstrates the success of Malta's long-term vision and the strong collaboration between government and industry. We look forward to welcoming global leaders to Valletta this October and showcasing Malta's unique ability to combine economic success, sustainability and world-class visitor experiences."
Dr. Jo Etienne Abela, Malta's Minister for Tourism, said: "Travel & Tourism is one of Malta's great success stories and a vital driver of jobs, investment and opportunity across our islands. As we prepare to welcome delegates from around the world for WTTC's Global Summit, we have a unique opportunity to highlight Malta's achievements while engaging with industry leaders on the future of the sector. We look forward to hosting the world's foremost Travel & Tourism event and demonstrating why Malta continues to be one of Europe's most dynamic and attractive destinations."
Notes to Editors
Registration is now open for WTTC's Global Summit, taking place in Valletta, Malta, from 7–9 October 2026. Attendance is by invitation and subject to approval.
Members of the media who believe they should be considered for accreditation are invited to contact the WTTC press office via The PC Agency at [email protected] for further information.
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For more information about WTTC, please visit wttc.org
For media enquiries, please contact Paul Charles / Philip Allport /
Rob Morris at The PC Agency via [email protected]
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.