02/01/2003

London, UK - Building New Tourism is the theme of the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC's) Third Global Travel & Tourism Summit, scheduled to take place from May 15-16, 2003 at Vilamoura, Portugal. Neil Armstrong - the first man to walk on the moon - has agreed to give the keynote address, heading an impressive list of speakers from the public and private sectors.

"There is an urgent need to broadcast a message of strength, unity and recovery for the Travel & Tourism industry," said WTTC President, Jean-Claude Baumgarten, in announcing the Summit, "and this message needs to be co-ordinated and driven from within the global industry.

"WTTC Members, governments, international organizations and the media will share in the discussions about New Tourism, and they will play an integral role in shaping the future of our industry."

Opening speeches will be made by hosts Sir Ian Prosser, WTTC Chairman and also Chairman of Six Continents PLC, and Andre Jordan, Chairman of Lusotur SA.

Participants on the panels and confirmed speakers to date are senior industry leaders:

  • Jorge Sampaio, H.E. President of the Portuguese Republic
  • Akbar Al-Baker, Chairman, Qatar Airways
  • Neil Armstrong, Astronaut
  • Phil Bakes, Chairman & CEO, FAR&WIDE Travel Corporation
  • Paul Blackney, Worldspan
  • Philippe Bourguignon, Former Chairman & CEO, Club Mediterannee
  • Ken Chenault, Chairman & CEO, American Express Co.
  • Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, WTTC
  • David Clifton, Managing Director, Europe & Asia, Interval International
  • Sebastian Escarrer, Vice Chairman, Sol Melia
  • Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
  • Laurence Geller, Chairman & CEO, Strategic Hotel Capital
  • Doug Gollan, President, Universal Media
  • Mary Gostelow, Journalist
  • Peter Greenberg Travel Editor, NBC's Today Show
  • Xabier de Irala, Chairman & CEO, Iberia
  • Peter de Jong, CEO, PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association)
  • André Jordan, Chairman, Lusotur S.A.
  • Geoffrey Kent, Chairman & CEO, Abercrombie & Kent
  • Alex Kyriakidis, Partner, Deloitte & Touche
  • Christian Laesser, Senior Researcher, Deputy Director, University of St Gallen
  • Ramsey Mankarios, Executive Vice President, Kingdom Holdings Co.
  • Paul McManus, President & CEO, The Leading Hotels of the World
  • David Mongeau, Vice Chairman, CIBC World Markets
  • Paulo Neves, President of the Algarve Tourist Board
  • Ron van Pelt, Senior Vice President, WAT&G
  • Sir Ian Prosser, Chairman, Six Continents PLC & Chairman WTTC
  • Michael Frenzel, Chairman, TUI AG
  • Antonio Enriquez Savignac, Honorary Secretary General, World Tourism Organization
  • David Scott, Former Astronaut
  • David Scowsill, CEO, Opodo
  • Michael Skapinker, Management Editor, Financial Times
  • Paul Slattery, Director, Otus & Co.
  • Julian Sparkes, Global Travel Services Managing Partner, Accenture
  • Barry Sternlicht, Chairman & CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
  • Ron Stringfellow, Executive Chairman, Southern Sun
  • Jose Tazon, President & CEO, Amadeus
  • Trevor de Vries, Deputy Managing Director, Mondial Assistance Group
  • Tom Wallace, Editor-in-Chief, Conde Nast Traveler
  • Philip Wolf, President and CEO, PhoCusWright
  • Peter Yesawich, Managing Partner, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell

The two days of Summit presentations and discussions will lead to the development of a new blueprint for the future of the industry. As the only global organization representing the private sector across all parts of the industry worldwide, WTTC is well placed to broadcast this message aimed at helping the industry meet the challenges of the future. The Vilamoura Declaration III will be officially signed at the conclusion of the Summit.

The Summit, which will follow WTTC's Annual General Meeting, provides a unique opportunity for all industry leaders to meet and network with government ministers and WTTC Members.

The Summit is being hosted by the Portuguese Government through Icep Portugal - Investment, Trade and Tourism, RTA - Algarve Tourism Board and Lusotur SA. Sponsors of the event include Air Portugal, American Express Company, and Insignia Hotels. Over 100 leading companies from the Travel & Tourism industry have agreed to support this event which can be found on the website along with further information about the event, sponsorship opportunities and registration.

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the forum for global business leaders in Travel & Tourism comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world's foremost companies. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide.

For more information contact us at enquiries@wttc.org.