The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is preparing to welcome more than 200 chief executives globally and senior Travel & Tourism leaders to Valletta, Malta, for its 26th Global Summit, scheduled to take place from October 7 to 9, 2026. The high-level gathering will bring together decision-makers from across the global tourism ecosystem, including hospitality, aviation, cruise tourism, travel technology, financial services, destination investment and travel distribution.
The summit is expected to provide a major platform for industry leaders, governments and international organisations to discuss emerging opportunities and challenges facing global tourism. For Malta, hosting the event represents a significant opportunity to present its tourism destinations, connectivity, business environment and investment potential to some of the industry’s most influential figures.
Global Tourism Industry Leaders to Meet in Valletta
Senior executives from several leading international travel and hospitality companies are expected to attend the summit. Confirmed participants include Christopher J. Nassetta of Hilton, Elie Maalouf of IHG Hotels & Resorts, Alejandro Reynal of Four Seasons, Tony Fernandes of Capital A, Jane Sun of Trip.com Group and Pierfrancesco Vago of MSC Group’s Cruise Division.
Other participating organisations include American Express Travel, Accor, Marriott International, Expedia Group, Iberostar, JPMorganChase/Chase Travel, JTB Corp, Microsoft, Visa, Virtuoso, VFS Global and Tourism Development Fund, among many others. The gathering will also include representatives from tourism boards and destination organisations from different parts of the world, creating opportunities for international networking, partnerships and investment discussions.
For Malta, the summit is particularly significant because it will bring an unusually large concentration of global tourism decision-makers to the island. Delegates will have the opportunity to experience Malta’s historic attractions, hospitality sector, connectivity and tourism infrastructure while exploring potential business and investment opportunities.
Future of Travel Takes Centre Stage
This year’s summit will be held under the theme “FUTU[RE]SET: Shaping the Future of Travel & Tourism.” Discussions are expected to examine how rapid technological development, artificial intelligence, changing traveller behaviour and geopolitical developments are transforming the tourism industry. The programme will also focus on strengthening cooperation between governments and the private sector. Industry leaders are expected to explore ways to encourage investment, improve competitiveness, strengthen resilience and create sustainable long-term benefits for destinations and local communities.
WTTC has highlighted the importance of adapting to a rapidly changing global environment, with the summit designed to encourage new ideas and collaboration across the tourism sector. The event will also build on discussions from WTTC’s 2025 Global Summit in Rome, where topics including artificial intelligence, sustainable aviation, investment, workforce development and destination management were among the key areas of discussion.
Malta Positions Itself as a Global Tourism Hub
The summit is expected to further strengthen Malta’s international tourism profile by to experience the destination directly. Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef described the event as an important opportunity to showcase the country’s heritage, hospitality, connectivity and investment potential while developing relationships that could extend beyond the three-day summit.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said the participation of more than 200 tourism leaders demonstrates the global importance of the Travel & Tourism sector and provides an opportunity for industry stakeholders to work together on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The 2026 WTTC Global Summit is expected to serve as an important meeting point for tourism leaders seeking to shape the industry’s next phase, with particular emphasis on innovation, sustainability, investment, resilience and stronger international cooperation. The event also reflects the increasing importance of global tourism forums in connecting destinations with investors, travel companies and policymakers, potentially creating new opportunities for tourism development and international partnerships.
