10/01/2003

The last 12 months have been the most challenging period faced by the global Travel & Tourism industry in modern history. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the USA and last month in Bali, the prolonged global recession and the looming prospect of war with Iraq have all contributed to dampen Travel & Tourism demand. Although the impact has been very different across different markets/sectors and destinations, it is being felt throughout the entire industry.

The pressure on individual companies is enormous, and their struggle to keep costs in line with revenue will continue for some time. Meanwhile, the message that all this will give to the world is that we are a crippled industry and we run the risk of presenting ourselves as being besieged. To counteract this we must draw even greater attention to the economic importance of Travel & Tourism by showing a united front and speaking with a single global voice.

The World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg clearly demonstrated that it is difficult to reach a global consensus on sustainable development and poverty alleviation. Countries are facing two alternatives, either to levy new taxes and introduce new legislation, or to call on the private sector for solutions. WTTC has made its position clear on both approaches and many of our Members have already undertaken considerable steps to create a better environment and to promote corporate social responsibility.

In the face of all the global economic, political and social challenges, our industry needs to broadcast a message of strength, unity, survival and recovery. And we believe the only global organization capable of transmitting this message effectively is WTTC and its Member companies.

This explains the theme of WTTC's next AGM and Summit - 'Building New Tourism'. The Council's former policy framework, the Millennium Vision, was a leading document referred to by governments and the Travel & Tourism industry. WTTC intends to use the Summit to deliver a new blueprint for the future of the industry, which will be launched in Vilamoura, from May 15-16, 2003. And to set the scene for this theme, WTTC is proud to have Neil Armstrong - the first man to walk on the moon - to be the keynote speaker at the Summit.

WTTC Members, governments, international organizations and the media will share in discussions about the new perspective and requirements needed for our industry so that it can meet the challenges of the future and provide the world with sustainable growth.

The AGM and Summit will provide a forum where WTTC can help to reposition the industry and create a new platform for some of our much-needed objectives:

• the need to speak with one voice about the importance of our industry
• the need for public-private sector partnerships
• the need to balance the sometimes conflicting imperatives of economic, social and environmental sustainability
• the need to create an environment without barriers to growth so that companies and the industry as a whole will be able to play a positive role in the future development of the planet.

These discussions and debates will be concluded with a declaration on every key aspect of this New Tourism - from the new consumer and new travel behaviour to new forms of investment, new approaches to sustainable development, new ministries of tourism, and new approaches to public-private sector partnership. This declaration (Vilamoura Declaration III) will become a tourism action plan for the industry.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or participation, please contact WTTC.