7 May 2012

From May 16-18, 2012, key industry identities from the public and private sectors, NGOs and the media will convene for a unique networking forum. The event will be the first in a series of WTTC "Regional Summits," and will explore commonalities as well as challenges throughout the travel and tourism industry in the Americas while identifying opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Speakers will include Ministers of Tourism from around the world including Secretary Gloria Guevara of Mexico; US Deputy Secretary of State, Thomas Nides; Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization; executives from hotels, airlines, tour operators and travel agencies; and key opinion leaders from the media such as CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg.

The Summit will attract delegates from across the Americas, including Central America, The Caribbean, South America and North America.

David Scowsill, President and CEO of WTTC added, "Mexico is the perfect host for the Americas Summit. Mexico has rightly put Travel & Tourism at the heart of its economy as a generator of employment, export income and GDP. President Caldern"s commitment to tourism is underlined by being the first to join the WTTC"s and UNWTO"s joint Global Leaders for Tourism campaign, which recognises the importance of tourism to growth and development. Holding the Americas Summit in Mexico just one month before the G20 meeting of world leaders will place Travel & Tourism among the most important topics being discussed in Los Cabos."

Mexico will also host the United Nations World Tourism Organization"s T20 meeting of tourism ministers in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, from May 15-16.

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the industry, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. In 2011 Travel & Tourism accounted for 255 million jobs globally. At US$6.3 trillion (9.1% of GDP) the sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth. For more than 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council 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.

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President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón and Carlos Slim to speak at inaugural WTTC Americas Summit