WTTC Regional Summit to take place in Korea due to Asia’s growing status as a global powerhouse in Travel & Tourism

2013-03-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is holding its regional Asia Summit in Korea in September, in recognition of the recent acceleration of Travel & Tourism in the region and the industry’s positive impact on global GDP and employment.

The WTTC Asia Summit will take place in Seoul from 10th-11th September. The public sector and leading private sector organisations in Korea are hosting the Summit, which will bring Travel & Tourism leaders together from around the world to engage in lively debate around current issues and future trends.

Speakers will include CEOs from regional and global hotel companies, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, travel management and online agencies; Ministers of Tourism; high level representatives from the NGO sector and opinion formers from the world of finance, academia and the media.

David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC, says: “The Summit will have a pan-Asian focus and address economic and travel related issues, which are of vital importance to one of the world’s most important Travel & Tourism regions. Leaders in the region are really keen to stay ahead of tomorrow, and see how countries can find innovative ways to help increase tourism benefits and work together to facilitate sustainable growth”.

The continuous increasing demand for travel in Asia is a result of healthy emerging economies across most of the region. Figures released by WTTC today show that Asia has led Travel and Tourism growth in 2012, with 7.3% total Travel & Tourism [year on year] growth in contribution to GDP in South East Asia, 6.3% in North East Asia and 4% in South Asia, compared with a growth contribution to GDP of only 0.4% in Europe.

David Scowsill adds: “Korea has really continued to raise its profile internationally, led by some of the world’s leading global organisations, and through major events including the F1 Grand Prix and Expo 2012 Yeosu. In the G20 nations, South Korea outperformed all others in 2012, with total T&T growth in contribution to GDP of 10% and an increase in total visitor spending of 38%. This followed a difficult 2011, in which it saw a drop in the number of people travelling from Japan due to the earthquake and Tsunami. All of this success makes it the perfect place to host the Summit”.

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For further information and interviews, please contact:

Toby Nicol, Communications Director Tel: +44 (0) 20 7481 6484
Email: toby.nicol@wttc.org

Emma Coulthurst, Interim Media Relations Manager Tel: +44 (0)207 481 8007 Email: emma.coulthurst@wttc.org

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