The European business travel sector resists uncertainty. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the private tourism sector, published its latest forecasts at its 26th Global Summit in La Valletta (Malta). Travel spending for business purposes is up by 4.2 % in Europe, compared to 3.1 % for leisure purposes. International visitor spending on the continent would, however, increase by 5.8 %.
The sector as a whole is following the same trend. It is expected to grow by 3.1 % in Europe, after a 2.6 % increase last year, which is faster than the overall economy. On a global scale, the increase would be 2.5 %. Tourism also represents about one in ten jobs in Europe. « Travel and tourism continue to show remarkable resilience », believes Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the WTTC. However, she calls on the public authorities: « This is an industry ready to invest and innovate, but governments must create the right conditions: facilitate mobility, strengthen connectivity, develop talent and support sustainable growth. ".
The participants at the Maltese summit, more than 1,000 delegates including 200 business leaders and public officials, debated these issues until October 9. The agenda included investment, connectivity, artificial intelligence, skills, and sustainable growth. The WTTC claims that the sector contributed $11.6 trillion to the global economy last year, or 9.8% % of GDP, and created 366 million jobs.
