Malta is hosting the world’s biggest tourism event. The 26th World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit is taking place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta from 7 to 9 October 2026, bringing together over 1,000 delegates from more than 100 countries.
It is the largest tourism event ever held on the Maltese Islands, and one of the most significant gatherings in the global travel industry this year.
What Is the WTTC Global Summit?
The WTTC Global Summit is the premier annual event for the global travel and tourism industry. Often described as the “Davos of tourism,” it brings together CEOs, government ministers, investors, and senior policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of travel worldwide.
The 2026 edition is being held under the theme “FUTU[RE]SET: Shaping the Future of Travel & Tourism”, with a programme that spans artificial intelligence, sustainability, investment, connectivity, destination development, and the changing expectations of the modern traveller.
Why Malta?
Malta was selected to host the 2026 Summit ahead of 21 competing destinations from around the world. The announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the 25th Summit in Rome, recognising Malta’s strong tourism leadership and its growing reputation as a world-class destination for business events.
The numbers back up the selection. Travel and tourism now supports approximately one in five jobs in Malta and contributes close to 17% of GDP, according to WTTC data. For a nation of just over half a million people, Malta’s tourism sector punches well above its weight on the global stage.
The Summit is being hosted in partnership with the Malta Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Malta Tourism Authority, and the Government of Malta.
Who Is There?
The delegate list reads like a who’s who of global tourism and politics.
More than 200 Travel & Tourism CEOs and senior executives are gathering in Valletta, alongside more than 100 speakers spanning aviation, hospitality, cruise, travel technology, investment, and government.
Headline speakers include former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is bringing the perspective of a former G7 leader to discussions on leadership, resilience, and international cooperation. He is joined by former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and Nick Adams, the first US Special Presidential Envoy for Tourism.
Industry leaders confirmed at the Summit include Zubin Karkaria (Founder & CEO, VFS Global), Encarna Piñero (Global CEO, Piñero), Katie Briscoe (CEO, MMGY Global), and Ekaterina Petelina (SVP, Visa Inc), among many others.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said the Summit would bring “an extraordinary concentration of global leadership” to Malta to discuss the future of the sector.
What Is Being Discussed?
The three-day programme covers the forces reshaping the tourism industry:
Artificial intelligence and technology occupy a central place in the agenda, reflecting the rapid transformation of how travellers plan, book, and experience their trips.
Sustainability and destination development are front and centre, with sessions examining how destinations can grow their tourism economies without compromising the environments and communities that make them worth visiting.
Investment and connectivity are key threads, with discussions on how to channel private and public capital into tourism infrastructure and how to strengthen air and sea links to drive growth.
The programme also addresses the future traveller, luxury and wellness tourism, accessibility, workforce development, and the emergence of new source markets, including India.
A Global Leaders Dialogue format brings government policymakers directly into conversations with private-sector tourism leaders, fostering the kind of public-private collaboration that rarely happens outside of events like this.
What This Means for Malta
For three days, Valletta becomes the tourism capital of the world. The summit puts Malta in front of the most powerful decision-makers in global travel, offering an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the island’s heritage, hospitality, and vision for sustainable growth to people who shape tourism policy and investment across the planet.
Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef described the hosting as “not only a remarkable achievement for Malta but also a powerful statement about our place on the world tourism stage.” Minister for Tourism Jo Etienne Abela added that the summit provides “a unique opportunity to highlight Malta’s achievements while engaging with industry leaders on the future of the sector.”
According to the latest WTTC report, travel and tourism across Europe is forecast to grow by 3.1% in 2026, outpacing the wider European economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WTTC?
The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of travel and tourism. Its members include over 200 of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies, and it works with governments and destinations worldwide.
When is the WTTC Global Summit 2026?
7 to 9 October 2026 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta.
Who is speaking at the Summit?
Over 100 speakers, including former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and more than 200 Travel & Tourism CEOs and senior executives.
Why was Malta chosen to host?
Malta was selected ahead of 21 competing destinations, recognised for its strong tourism leadership, growing international profile, and commitment to sustainable tourism development.
How big is Malta’s tourism sector?
Travel and tourism supports approximately one in five jobs in Malta and contributes close to 17% of GDP, according to WTTC data.