LONDON, 2016-Apr-11 — /Travel PR News/ — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is pleased to announce that the WTTC Annual Global Summit will be hosted by Bangkok, Thailand on 26/27 April 2017.
The location of the 2017 Global Summit was announced at the closing speech of the 16th WTTC Global Summit in Dallas, Texas on the 7th of April.
David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “The WTTC Global Summit is the most influential Travel & Tourism event of the year, bringing together hundreds of leaders from public sector organisations and private sector companies to discuss and tackle the most important issues in our sector. Travel & Tourism is one of the most important generators of jobs and wealth in the world, contributing over $7.2 trillion in GDP to the world economy and supporting 284 million jobs, which is 1 in 11 jobs on the planet.”
Scowsill continued: “Thailand is an extremely well established Travel & Tourism economy. Despite challenges, the sector grew by a stunning 18.4% in 2015, contributing nearly 21% to the country’s GDP (USD$ 81.6 billion or THB2.8 trillion) and supported 5.9 million jobs, which is 15.4% of total employment. I am delighted that Bangkok will host the 2017 Global Summit, which will highlight the Thai government’s great efforts in supporting Travel & Tourism across the country.”
“We are excited and honoured to host next year’s WTTC Global Summit, which is a great opportunity to showcase Bangkok as an important meeting place for gathering the world’s top travel and tourism executives,” said Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports.
Ms. Wattanavrangkul added: “Being selected by the World Travel & Tourism Council to host the Summit acknowledges the commitment the Thai government has to the expansion of the Travel & Tourism sector in the country.”
Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said: “Holding the Summit in Bangkok is a recognition of the city’s importance as an international hub, serving a large number of international visitors through our new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
We are looking forward to welcoming everyone in Bangkok next year to experience the beauty of our country,” Mr. Supasorn concluded.
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About WTTC:
The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. WTTC’s annual Global Summit brings together over 750 delegates to discuss the opportunities, challenges and issues facing the industry, while its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise the industry’s power to be a positive force in sustainability.
The sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth globally. By the end of 2015, Travel & Tourism will contribute US$7.2 trillion or 9.8% of global GDP, once all direct, indirect and induced impacts are taken into account. The sector will account for 284 million jobs, 9.5% of total employment, or one in eleven of all jobs on the planet.
For 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. These Members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of prosperity.
For more information: Annebeth Wijtenburg Public Relations Manager World Travel & Tourism Council annebeth.wijtenburg@wttc.org
About TAT:
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was established on the 18th March 1960. TAT was the first organization in Thailand to be specifically responsible for the promotion of tourism.
TAT supplies information and data on tourist areas to the public, publicizes Thailand with the intention of encouraging both Thai and international tourists to travel in and around Thailand, conducts studies to set development plans for tourist destinations, and cooperates with and supports the production and development of personnel in the field of tourism.
Since the inception of the first local office of TAT in Chiang Mai in 1968, there are now 35 regional offices throughout Thailand. TAT has also established many overseas offices the first being in New York, which was opened in 1965. During the past 30 years, TAT has since established more offices in different parts of the world.
For more information: Sarima Chindamat Director of International Public Relations Division TAT prdiv3@tat.or.th
For any media enquiries or interview requests, please contact Annebeth Wijtenburg, Communications Manager annebeth.wijtenburg
@wttc.org
+44 (0) 20 7481 6483