Cutting edge innovations will be shared during the twelfth UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit at WTM London 2018, with ‘Investment in tourism technology’ the theme.
The UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit, the largest annual gathering of tourism ministers, will take place on Tuesday 6 November at the leading global event for the travel industry.
A new improved structure will help spark the debate ensuring the opinions and ideas are flowing ensuring delegates can fully benefit from listening to leading private sector leaders and tourism ministers.
The UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit will start with a private sector discussion and debate before prior the minister panel and other public sector stakeholders join the discussion.
This will also be the first summit for the UNWTO’s new secretary general, Georgia’s Zurab Pololikashvili, who took up the position in January.
The summit will address investment opportunities in tourism technology and the need for stronger public-private partnerships in the field, also how technology can boost competitiveness and sustainability.
Likely uses to come under discussion will be online booking systems, social media, mobile apps, chatbots, and smart hotel rooms.
Stakeholders will also consider the implementation of data-driven decision-making strategies in tourism, specifically in analytics and smart destination management.
The role of technology in helping the tourism sector to meet the aims of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will also be covered.
WTM London Senior Director Simon Press, who will also address the summit, said: “The UNWTO & WTM Minsters’ Summit is always a highlight of WTM London and I am delighted that the event will once again host the largest annual gathering of tourism ministers in the world.”
“This year’s topic is a particularly important one as technology can help tourism remain a force for good in terms of global connectivity and sustainability.
“We’re also excited to introduce a new format for this year, which should bring greater focus to the debate.”