Malta's WTTC Global Summit Set to Welcome Former Spanish PM and US Tourism Minister

Malta’s hosting of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 26th Global Summit has gained further weight, with the WTTC confirming José María Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain, and Ambassador Nick Adams, the United States’ first-ever Special Presidential Envoy for Tourism, as speakers at the event, held under the theme “FUTU[RE]SET” from 7-9 October at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.

The pair join more than 1,000 delegates from over 100 countries, including 200 of the world’s leading travel and tourism CEOs, senior executives and government leaders, making the summit one of the most significant international gatherings Malta will host this year.

Aznar, who served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 1996 to 2004, brings senior European leadership experience to discussions on competitiveness and global cooperation, while Adams, representing the world’s largest travel and tourism market, reflects the growing strategic weight governments are placing on tourism. “Tourism is diplomacy with a suitcase,” Adams said of his upcoming keynote, describing his role in Valletta as helping “lead the partnerships that will define the next decade of travel.”

WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said the two speakers would add significant value to the global conversation taking place in Malta, framing the summit as an opportunity to bring political and business leaders together to challenge conventional thinking and turn ambition into action. Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef welcomed the additions as further strengthening an already exceptional programme, calling the summit a unique opportunity to showcase Malta’s hospitality, heritage and connectivity on the international stage.

The summit positions Malta firmly at the centre of the global conversation on travel and tourism’s future, at a moment when governments worldwide are placing growing strategic emphasis on the sector.

Senior executives outside the WTTC's membership can apply for a limited number of Executive Access Passes to attend.