The World Travel & Tourism Council is gearing up for its Global Summit in Malta, which will bring together over 200 of the world’s leading travel and tourism CEOs and senior executives to consider a range of issues.
Set for Oct. 7 to Oct. 9, 2026, momentum for the 26th Global Summit continues to build, with the growing delegation reflecting the breadth and influence of the council’s global membership.
WTTC’s annual Global Summit remains the premier gathering of Travel & Tourism CEOs and C-suite executives, providing a unique platform for private sector leaders, governments and international organizations to exchange ideas and shape the future of the sector.
The event will gather senior decision-makers from across the Travel & Tourism ecosystem, spanning hospitality, aviation, cruise, travel technology, financial services, destination investment and travel distribution.
Their presence will offer Malta an unparalleled opportunity to showcase its tourism offering, business environment and investment potential to some of the sector’s most influential figures.
For Malta, the Summit represents a landmark opportunity, as the island has never before welcomed such a significant concentration of global travel and tourism leadership, placing the destination at the centre of conversations that will influence the industry’s future direction.
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Bringing this calibre of global business leadership to Valletta will create a valuable platform for the island to build new relationships, strengthen existing partnerships, and showcase Malta as both a world-class tourism destination and an attractive place to invest.
Delegates will have the opportunity to experience the hospitality, connectivity and tourism infrastructure that underpin the destination’s success, while gaining a deeper understanding of the role Malta can play in the future of global Travel & Tourism.
According to the report, the council’s latest Economic Impact Research underlines the importance of travel and tourism to Malta, with the sector forecast to make a significant contribution to the country’s economy in 2026.
The theme of the 2026 Summit, “FUTU[RE]SET: Shaping the Future of Travel & Tourism”, reflects the profound changes reshaping the world today, including technology, artificial intelligence, evolving consumer expectations and geopolitical shifts, which will be discussed by business leaders and policymakers.
As these forces transform the way people live, work and travel, the Summit will bring together leaders to explore what comes next and how travel and tourism can adapt, innovate and thrive in an increasingly complex global environment, with a focus on stronger public-private collaboration.
A central focus of FUTU[RE]SET will be the role of stronger public-private collaboration in helping travel and tourism respond to rapid change, accelerate investment and unlock sustainable growth.
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Throughout the three-day program, leaders from business and government will explore how partnerships across sectors can address shared challenges, strengthen competitiveness and create long-term value for destinations, businesses and local communities.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, said: “Bringing more than 200 of the world’s leading travel and tourism CEOs and senior executives to Malta is a powerful demonstration of the strength and global importance of our sector.
Carlo Micallef, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, said: “Hosting the Global Summit in Malta is a moment of tremendous significance for the country and its tourism industry, as it seeks to position itself as a major player in the global travel and tourism industry.
Micallef’s statement highlights the significance of the event for Malta, and the discussions at the Summit will have a lasting impact on the future of travel and tourism.
The Global Summit is expected to provide a valuable platform for Malta to build new relationships and strengthen existing partnerships, which could lead to increased investment and tourism in the region, driven by the island’s unique tourism offering and business environment.