The 2014 UNWTO and WTM Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market (WTM) will put a spotlight on the essential connection between tourism and mega events, looking in particular at how such events can create a lasting legacy (WTM London, Tuesday, November 4, 2014).
Tourism and mega events are closely interlinked in today’s globalised society, yet they need to include careful prep, during and post-event strategies and be fully part of the long-term development plan of city, country or region in order to be successful in leaving a legacy in the host destinations.
In what promises to be an interesting debate, Tourism Ministers from around the world and private sector representatives will participate in a discussion around the theme Tourism and Mega-Events: building a lasting legacy. Charles Hodson, anchor of CNN International’s flagship business programme World Business Today will moderate the debate.
The 2014 edition of the UNWTO/WTM Ministers’ Summit will debate the following issues:
- How to measure the impact of mega events on tourism destinations
- How to ensure adequate infrastructure development and planning
- How to promote environmentally sustainable events
- How to translate the hosting of mega events into strong destination brands
- How to promote community engagement and invest in human capital
Speakers include representatives from countries that have hosted major sporting events in recent years, including the Hon Mr Derek Hanekon, Minister of Tourism for South Africa and His Excellency Mr Vinícius Nobre Lages, Minister of Tourism for Brazil. Also on the panel will be representatives of government tourist offices, including VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues CBE and Qatar Tourism Authority chairman His Excellency Mr Issa Mohammed Al Mohannadi. Qatar will host the 2022 football World Cup.
They will be joined on the panel by experts from global hotel groups, travel companies and event organisers, including Thomas Waldner, Project Director, Donauinselfest – a free music festival in Vienna, which hosts more than three million people in three days.
The discussion will be further enriched by the participation of more than 150 Ministers and aides poised to attend the event.
World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “The UNWTO and WTM Ministers’ Summit is a fixture in the calendar for ministers and private sector to debate the key issues facing the industry.
“Major sporting events have the potential to increase the host country’s tourism industry, but it is important the tourism industry makes the most of such opportunities. To do this the private and public sector must work together for the benefit of both sides. I am delighted WTM is again able to facilitate such an important conversation.”
Now on its eighth year, the UNWTO/WTM Ministers’ Summit is part of the World Travel Market Ministers Programme, bringing together Tourism Ministers and leading tourism experts to debate each year key issues affecting the future of the sector.
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About World Travel Market
World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend four-day business-to-business exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry.
More than 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press, embark on ExCeL – London every November to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM.
WTM, now in its 35th year, is the event where the travel industry conducts and concludes its deals.
WTM 2013 generated more than £2 billion of travel industry contracts, revealed independent research by Fusion Communications.
WTM is owned by the world’s leading events organiser Reed Exhibitions (RE), which organises a other portfolio’s of travel industry events including IBTM Events, the world’s leading showcases for the meetings and events industry and International Luxury Travel Market events.
In 2013, RE held more than 500 events in 40 countries bringing together more than six million people from around the world generating billions of dollars in business.
Reed Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry, with a wide-ranging portfolio of 21 international events in 14 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa.
Its market-leading, business-to-business events cover all elements of travel and tourism, including leisure travel, luxury travel, meetings, events, incentives and business travel, as well as golf, ski and spa travel.
RTE is part of Reed Exhibitions.