Malta today welcomed global Travel & Tourism leaders to Valletta as the WTTC Global Summit 2026 got underway, with the opening press conference setting the scene for three days of high-level discussions on the future of the sector, followed by the first meetings of the Summit at Teatru Manoel.
More than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 of the world's leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders, are gathering in Malta for WTTC's 26th Global Summit, held under the theme FUTU[RE]SET. More than 100 speakers are taking part across the programme, bringing together senior representatives from government, industry and the wider tourism sector.
Today's opening press conference presented WTTC's latest economic outlook, which forecasts that Travel & Tourism will grow by 3.1% across Europe in 2026, continuing to outperform the wider economy and exceeding the sector's 2.6% growth recorded last year.
The latest figures also point to continued resilience globally, with Travel & Tourism expected to grow by 2.5% in 2026. In Europe, international visitor spending is forecast to increase by 5.8%, while leisure and business travel spending are expected to grow by 3.1% and 4.2%, respectively.
For Malta, the opening of the Summit provides an important opportunity to place the country's tourism sector within this wider international context, while bringing global decision-makers together to discuss the opportunities and challenges that will shape tourism in the years ahead.
The first engagements of the Summit at Teatru Manoel brought together international tourism leaders for discussions focused on the future of the sector, with Malta providing the setting for conversations around growth, investment, connectivity, innovation and sustainability.
Among the high-profile international figures taking part in the Summit are the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, former Prime Minister of Canada; José María Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain; Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism; and Nick Adams, the first U.S. Presidential Envoy for Tourism.
Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman, WTTC, said: “The WTTC Global Summit brings together the leaders shaping the future of Travel & Tourism. Malta’s Government has shown strong leadership and commitment to our sector, making it an ideal host for these important discussions. Over the coming days, we will strengthen partnerships, advance new initiatives and help ensure Travel & Tourism continues to drive growth, investment and opportunity around the world.”
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Travel & Tourism continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Globally, the sector contributed US$11.6 trillion to the economy last year, representing 9.8% of global GDP, and supported 366 million jobs – nearly one in every nine jobs worldwide. Despite significant geopolitical challenges, we expect the sector to grow 2.5% this year, outpacing the global economy.
In Europe, the outlook is even stronger, with Travel & Tourism forecast to grow 3.1% in 2026. This is a sector that is ready to invest and innovate, but governments must create the right conditions – enabling seamless travel, strengthening connectivity, developing talent and supporting sustainable growth. The choices made today will determine how much of this opportunity Europe captures.”
Mr Carlo Micallef, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, said: "Through our vision for the future we are not seeking to welcome more visitors only. We want to create greater value, not only economic, but also social and environmental. We want tourism that is sustainable and resilient. Tourism that embraces innovation while remaining rooted in our identity. Tourism that creates meaningful experiences for visitors while delivering tangible benefits for the communities that welcome them. And above all, tourism that remains a force for good. Hosting this Summit gives us an extraordinary opportunity to place that ambition within a global conversation."
Dr Charles Mangion, Chairman, Malta Tourism Authority, said: “For Malta, hosting a gathering of this significance is a moment of great pride. To welcome more than 200 of the world’s leading voices in Travel and Tourism is a recognition not only of Malta’s achievements as a tourism destination, but also of the role we aspire to play within the wider international tourism community. It is an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to grow and strengthen our tourism sector while remaining mindful of our responsibilities to the people and communities that make Malta what it is. Above all, we must ensure that the well-being of our communities remains at the heart of this progress, so that the benefits of growth are shared and our development remains sustainable for generations to come.”
WTTC's latest Economic Impact Research forecasts that Travel & Tourism will contribute US$4.9 billion to Malta's economy in 2026, representing 16.9% of the country's GDP and supporting more than one in five jobs across the country.
The figures also highlight Malta's strong recent performance within the European tourism landscape. In 2025, Malta recorded the highest annual increase in Travel & Tourism's GDP contribution among all European economies, growing by 16.8%, compared with the European average of 2.6%.
These results underline the importance of tourism to Malta's economy, while also reinforcing the importance of ensuring that future growth delivers greater value for the country and its communities.
Hosting the WTTC Global Summit is therefore an opportunity for Malta to share its experience as a tourism destination while engaging with international leaders on how the sector can continue to evolve. The discussions taking place over the coming days will focus on areas including investment, connectivity, technology and artificial intelligence, workforce development, destination competitiveness and sustainable growth.
For the Malta Tourism Authority, the Summit also reflects Malta's wider focus on quality tourism — strengthening the visitor experience, encouraging investment and innovation, supporting year-round tourism, and ensuring that the benefits generated by the sector extend to local businesses and communities.
With the global Travel & Tourism community gathered in Valletta, the Summit provides Malta with a unique platform to showcase its tourism offer, heritage, culture and hospitality, while contributing to the international conversation on the future of a more sustainable, resilient and high-quality tourism sector.
