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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will open its 23rd Global Summit today. This will be the first Summit where the largest global travel and tourism companies will come together in Africa. The venue for this year’s event from November 1-3 is in Kigali, Rwanda, Ivorian footballing legend Didier Drogba is set to take to the stage.
Regarded as one of the greatest African football players in history, an all-time top scorer, and former captain of the Ivory Coast national team, Drogba will share his experience of growing up in the West African country, and his continued fight for social progress. After retiring from professional football, this titan of industry continues to inspire and change lives.
Three Heads of State will take to the stage at the 23rd Global Summit, and a Vice-President.
Other keynote speakers include Justin Urquhart-Stewart, global economist and renowned business commentator; David P. Pekoske, Administrator of the United States Transport Security Administration; and Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club.
Host speaker, Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, and Yvonne Makolo, CEO of Rwandair and Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will get the floor in Kigali.
Business leaders from across the globe will collaborate on future-proofing the sector, ensuring resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Speakers from WTTC include Arnold Donald, WTTC Chair; Greg O’Hara, Founder and Managing Partner Certares; Gloria Fluxa, Vice Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer, Iberostar; Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of Heritage Group and co-chair of Abercrombie and Kent, Julie Shainock (Confirmed), Global Managing Director for Travel, Transport Logistics and Hospitality, Microsoft and Matthew Upchurch, President & CEO of Virtuoso, and of course WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson.
Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future
The event will focus on the value of the sector, not only to the global economy but to the planet and communities around the world.
Government dignitaries, including South Africa’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Patricia de Lille; Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources & Tourism, Hon. Angellah Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki; and Ukraine’s Tourism Development Chairperson, Hon. Mariana Oleskiv, will also grace the occasion.
World Tourism Network Members attending WTTC
The Hon. Oleskiv is also one of the first government members of the World Tourism Network. Also, WTN founding member Dr Jens Thraenhart and a WTN Tourism Hero from Thailand will attend the WTTC Summit in Kigali.
