WTM TUI boss to address UNWTO and tourism ministers on safe and seamless travel

The new boss at travel giant, TUI Group, will make the opening address at the UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market London 2016.

Fritz Joussen will speak to an audience of around 100 tourism ministers and senior industry executives from across the globe at the high-profile event, which will celebrate its tenth edition at WTM London 2016.

The summit will explore how the tourism sector can work together to make travel safer and more seamless.

Taking place on Wednesday 9 November, the summit organised by WTM and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will be part of WTM London’s Ministerial Programme.

Joussen is well placed to outline the case for the travel industry to a high-level delegation of tourism ministers.

TUI is the world’s number one integrated tourism group, employing 76,000 people in more than 100 countries. It has iconic tour operator brands such as Thomson; 300 group-owned hotels and clubs; six European airlines; and three cruise lines operating 13 ships. Based in Germany, its shares are listed in the London Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In financial year 2014-15, the group generated turnover of more than €20 billion.

Joussen took over as sole chief executive of TUI Group in February, ending a period of joint leadership with Peter Long which followed TUI Travel’s merger with German-based TUI in 2014. With a background in the mobile phone industry, he ran Vodafone Germany from 2005 to 2012, giving him insight into the world of online and mobile transactions.

Joussen will outline to ministers how TUI is dealing the challenges of security in its operations and open a key debate on how public and private sector can promote a safer and more seamless travel experience.

WTM London, Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “I’m delighted to have such an industry heavyweight as Fritz Joussen to address the UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit.

“In previous years, the summits have offered insights into issues such as social media, branding and the legacy of ‘mega-events’ such as the World Cup and Olympics.

“This year’s summit will tackle the vital matter of traveller safety, looking at terrorism and other problems facing the industry, ranging from volcanic ash clouds to floods and earthquakes.

“But we’ll also discuss ways to make travel more seamless, smoothing the way for travellers across the globe.

“WTM London is the only forum offering so many ministers and experts a platform to discuss the big issues affecting the global tourism business.”

“Safety and security in all its aspects is a global challenge that can only be addressed through collective action and a global response”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “Public and private sectors must plan, work, communicate, and respond together. Stepping up cooperation between the industry and governments is fundamental to enhance security and advance travel facilitation”.

WTM London is the event where the travel and tourism industry conducts its business deals. Buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club have a combined purchasing responsibility of $22.6 billion (£15.8bn) and sign deals at the event worth $3.6 billion (£2.5bn).

WTM London 2016 will be revamped as a three-day event from Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 November, with opening hours extended from 10am – 7pm for all three days.

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World Travel Market London

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day business-to-business exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry.

Almost 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press, embark on ExCeL – London every November to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM London.

WTM London is the event where the travel industry conducts and concludes its deals. WTM London will generate around £2.5 billion of travel industry contracts.

WTM London is part of Reed Travel Exhibition’s World Travel Market events, which also includes Arabian Travel Market, World Travel Market Latin America and World Travel Market Africa. www.wtmworld.com

Reed Travel Exhibitions

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry. Its wide-ranging portfolio of events around the globe covers leisure travel, luxury travel, meetings, incentives and business travel, as well as golf, ski and spa travel.

RTE, which organises more than 22 events around the world, includes three divisions; World Travel Market, IBTM Events and International Luxury Travel Market.

RTE is a business unit of Reed Exhibitions.