- Date
- 8–10 October 2024
- Venue
- Exhibition Center
- Location
- Perth, Australia
WTTC’s annual Global Summit is the most influential Travel & Tourism event on the calendar, and in 2024 industry leaders once again gathered with key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the travel sector and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
WTTC hosted its 24th Global Summit in Perth (Boorloo), Western Australia from 8th – 10th October 2024. WTTC was delighted to host this influential event in a destination that honours its cultural heritage and works to protect both people and planet.
Western Australia’s commitment to growing its visitor economy sustainably while placing its First Nation people at the centre of everything it does is commendable. It offers many lessons for other destinations. Perth is admired not just for its economic contributions, stunning scenery, and biodiversity, but also for its strong ethos of fostering connections between cultures, communities, and the environment. It is a city that embodies the spirit of unity and an ideal place to bring together global leaders.
The 2024 Summit theme was Ancient Land: New Perspectives.
Remember to share your experience at the Global Summit on social media using the hashtags #GSPerth and #AncientLandNewPerspectives.
On Demand
With thanks to our event host and partners.
Featured Speakers
Greg O'HaraFounder & Senior Managing Director, Certares
Jane SunCEO, Trip.com Group
Dan RichardsFounder & CEO, Global Rescue Group
John Kerry68th Secretary of State, United States
Robert IrwinPhotographer and Conservationist, Australia Zoo
Audrey HendleyPresident, American Express Travel, American Express
Discover Perth (Boorloo), Western Australia
With weather as welcoming as its friendly locals, Australia’s sunniest capital city of Perth offers adventures for everyone. Framed by the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), the city boasts 19 pristine beaches, each blessed with dreamy Indian Ocean sunsets, and is home to one of the world’s largest inner-city parks.
Perth is home to the Swan Valley, the only wine region within an Australian capital city — just one of the effortless day trips to enjoy within an hour of the city. You can also explore Perth’s historic and bohemian port city of Fremantle (Walyalup), swim with playful wild dolphins in Rockingham, or cruise to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) to meet plenty of quokkas, the world’s happiest animal.
Add a thriving metropolis of curated cultural experiences, luxury hotels, shopping precincts, rooftop bars and waterfront dining at Elizabeth Quay on the beautiful Swan River, and it’s easy to see why Perth is such a relaxed and naturally adventurous capital city.
Programme
Theme: Ancient Land: New Perspectives.
Tuesday 8 October
4 sessions
- Global Leaders’ DialogueInvitation only
- GLD Photo
- Member & VIP dinner at Sandalford WineryInvitation only
- Welcome reception at Fraser's Restaurant, Kings Park & Botanic Gardens
Wednesday 9 October
13 sessions
- WTTC Annual General Meeting
- Opening Ceremony
- Opening Speech
- Sharpening the Edge: Redefining Tourism CompetitivenessSession 1 · Planning For The Future · Panel
Thursday 10 October
7 sessions
- Together in TravelSession 4 · Enabling Connections
- Welcome to My HomeSession 4 · Enabling Connections · Panel
- Swapping DesksSession 4 · Enabling Connections · Panel
- For the PlanetSession 5 · Nurturing Our Planet · Panel
The Global Leaders’ Dialogue brings together ministers and CEOs in a moderated exchange. Leaders will share their priorities and concerns in order to identify opportunities for mutual support and greater public-private partnership.
Welcome to Country Cultural performance
Speakers
Greg O’HaraChair, World Travel & Tourism Council
Hon. Roger Cook MLAPremier, Western Australia
With projections estimating Travel & Tourism will be worth US$ 16 trillion – and 11.4% of GDP – in 2034, tourism competitiveness is more important than ever especially in more mature markets. Tactical investments will be key to ensuring destinations can regain or maintain their positions and even exceed their competitors. What is defining competitiveness in the current and future landscape and what is required to grow global market share?
Speakers
James ThorntonCEO, Intrepid Travel
Audrey HendleyPresident, American Express Travel
Brian BeallDirector, National Travel & Tourism Office, USA
Jason WatersCEO, Perth Airport
Arnie WeissmannEditor-in-Chief, Travel Weekly
In this short keynote, attendees will learn more about Aboriginal culture and the Country on which Perth city now sits from a Traditional Owner of that land.
Speakers
Walter McGuireTraditional Owner of Noongar Boodja
In these short keynotes (5 to 7 minutes each) industry leaders will share lessons on Chinese and Indian travellers, highlighting what these key segments are looking for in their travel experiences and the destinations they travel to.
Speakers
Jane SunCEO, Trip.com Group
Puneet ChhatwalMD & CEO, Indian Hotels Company Limited
Global university students will pitch their ideas for sustainable tourism to astute Travel & Tourism investors in a Dragon’s Den-style engagement. This will be the introduction to the session with some highlights of the projects. Students will then share an elevator style pitch in the lunch break. Winners will be announced on stage on 10 October 2024. Moderated by Hotel School The Hague
Travel is an integral part of the human story – people have an innate drive to explore the world. What have we learnt about why people travel, how technology has changed exploration over time, and how the travel experiences we seek deepen our understanding of ourselves and others? In this short keynote, Tripadvisor Group CEO Matt Goldberg will speak to the future of travel, the role of AI, sustainability, and whether travel can be a force for good.
Speakers
Matt GoldbergPresident & CEO, Tripadvisor Group
Football fans who venture into lesser-known municipalities in support of their lifelong club can later return with their families as guests of the same community. Conference attendees have been known to extend their business trip to include a day or two exploring the bustling city. From the FIFA World Cup to international conferences and trade shows, large events inject much-needed cash into local economies. The payments made by these travellers, often using mobile payment solutions, are integral to their contributions to local businesses. Projections show that this segment will be worth US$ 2.38 trillion by 2034. Indeed, large events have a significant impact on tourism but also on local infrastructure. How is MICE redefining tourism and what can we do now to better equip our destinations to welcome thousands of short-term, and hopefully repeat, visitors?
Speakers
Daniel RichardsFounder & CEO, Global Rescue
Christie Travers-SmithHead of Retail & Travel EMEA Partnerships, Google
Douglas FeaginPresident, Ant International
Bradley WoodsChair, Business Events Perth
Narelda JacobsAnchor, Network 10
81% of travellers say trying local foods and cuisines is the highlight of their trip and 47% of Gen Z and Millennials have planned an entire trip around visiting a specific restaurant. Deliciously, the scent of a tasty local meal is drawing more and more travellers to new locations while learning about the history and culture of a place. What is the future of gastronomy and wine tourism and how is this helping travellers connect with culture and place?
Speakers
Christina Garcia FrascoSecretary of Tourism, Philippines
Dale TilbrookOwner, Dale Tilbrook Experiences
Alexandra BurtCo-founder & Proprietor, Voyager Estate
David BurgessCEO, Miles Partnership
Anita MendirattaCEO, AM&A
Safety and security remain the top priority for destinations as visitors enter their borders. The public and private sectors need to manage risk while still enabling travellers to discover new and exciting experiences. However, lengthy and complicated border systems can create a difficult hurdle before travellers get to enjoy all a destination has to offer. What are the risk considerations the Travel & Tourism sector needs to make? What innovations are transforming border security and how can the Travel & Tourism sector better align in making travel easy as well as secure?
Speakers
Hon. I Chester CooperDeputy Prime Minister & Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, Bahamas
Jeffrey RutledgeCEO, AIG Travel
Ellen BettridgeCEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Jeremy SpringallSenior Vice President, SITA At Borders- Arnie WeissmannEditor-in-Chief, Travel Weekly
As we navigate unprecedented challenges, the Travel & Tourism sector recognises the critical role of strong leadership and effective partnerships. Secretary John Kerry is a leading global voice who has been instrumental in shaping global climate policy and forging lasting intergovernmental collaboration. He served as the United States' 68th Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017. His tenure was marked by achievements including the successful negotiation of the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2021, he was sworn in as the USA’s inaugural Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and the first-ever Principal to sit on the National Security Council entirely dedicated to climate change. In May 2024, Secretary Kerry was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his lifetime commitment to public service. He was also the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States in 2004. In this unmissable fireside chat, he will share insights into navigating the international political landscape, forging strong alliances, and facilitating international cooperation for a more resilient and sustainable future.
Speakers
Secretary John Kerry68th Secretary of State, USA
The official launch of WTTC’s Together in Travel initiative to support small to medium enterprises in Travel & Tourism.
Speakers
Matthew UpchurchChairman & CEO, Virtuoso
As Indigenous people welcome travellers to their traditional and ancestral homes, they often share their history and culture. These inspiring visits are frequently cited as a highlight of travellers’ journeys. However, many Indigenous communities have been overlooked or excluded from actively participating in the profits from Travel & Tourism. What steps must we take to ensure Indigenous people and communities are properly and fairly included in the Travel & Tourism ecosystem and the workplace?
Speakers
Hon. Viliame GavokaDeputy Prime Minister & Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Fiji
Steffan PanohoGeneral Manager, Ngāti Kuri Tourism
Dawnielle TehamaSenior Associate Principal, Coraggio Group
Johani MamidManaging Director, Mabu Buru Pty Ltd- Narelda JacobsAnchor, Network 10
As restrictions have lifted some businesses have chosen to remain fully remote while others have returned to full-time in-person models. Now, with most of the world reopen, the future of work looks quite different to what was envisaged just four years ago. What does the workplace of the future look like, which models will persist, and what are the skills needed in that future?
Speakers
Frank MariniPresident & CEO, Railbookers Group
Will HouseGlobal Lead: Hospitality & Leisure Practice, Spencer Stuart
Di BainChair, Tourism Western Australia
Rajeev MenonPresident, Asia Pacific excluding Greater China, Marriott International- Anita MendirattaCEO, AM&A
Travel & Tourism is one of only six economic sectors with more than 80% of the value of its goods and services highly dependent on nature. This reliance on nature requires a symbiotic relationship in which our sector acts as a Guardian of Nature. What are the practical steps to better protect our oceans, repair and restore the environment, and still grow sustainably?
Speakers
Phillipa HarrisonManaging Director, Tourism Australia
Hashil Al MahrouqiCEO, OMRAN Group
Kelly CraigheadPresident & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
Rosa HarrisDirector of Tourism, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism- Narelda JacobsAnchor, Network 10
Robert Irwin has dedicated his life to advocating for nature and wildlife. He has carried on his father's legacy of preserving endangered species and inspiring new generations to safeguard our planet's precious creatures. With some unforgettable stories from his adventures in the wild, he will share how Travel & Tourism can play a vital role in creating a future where nature is enjoyed while being protected and celebrated.
Speakers
Robert IrwinWildlife Conservationist, Australia Zoo- Greg O’HaraChair, World Travel & Tourism Council
The winners of the Investors’ Nest are announced and the university students have the opportunity to share their winning idea with the wider Global Summit audience.
Announcement of the 2025 host.
Speakers
Hon. Rita Saffioti MLADeputy Premier & Tourism Minister, Western Australia- Greg O’HaraChair, World Travel & Tourism Council
Watch the sessions
You can now catchup and re-watch sessions from the Perth Global Summit on demand.
WTTC Global Summit 2024 Perth, Western Australia
Photos
Photo albums on Flickr, day by day.
Global Summit Report
The 24th WTTC Global Summit, held in Perth, Western Australia, brought together key industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss the future of global Travel & Tourism.
This event report highlights key figures, prominent speakers, and main stage discussions that addressed critical topics facing the Travel & Tourism sector.
It also showcases notable side events, and the impactful discussions that shaped this major gathering of global Travel & Tourism professionals.
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See Highlights From Previous Summits
WTTC hosts a Global Summit each year in a different destination. You can learn more about our other summits, as well as watch videos and highlights, from the cards below.
