Tag Archives: WTTC

India’s hospitality sector is likely to remain immune to the impact of artificial intelligence. In its latest projections, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said that the Indian travel and tourism sector is expected to employ more than 63.9 million by 2035, up from 46.3 million in 2024. “This is the only industry which may be immune to the impact of AI,” said Julia Simpson, Chief Executive, WTTC.

The report ‘Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel’ by WTTC warns that unless the travel and tourism sector acts collectively, SAF mandates introduced by governments, requiring a 5% to 10% blend by 2030, could increase travel costs and limit consumer choice. With Travel and tourism forecast to generate $16.5 trillion and support over 460 million jobs by 2035, scaling up sustainable fuel is an economic imperative.

India’s travel and tourism sector is set for significant expansion. Its valuation is expected to more than double to $523 billion over the next decade. According to Julia Simpson, President, WTTC, the sector, which currently contributes around 7% to India’s GDP and employs approximately 45 million people, is projected to support 63 million jobs by 2034.

Focusing on sustainable travel and tourism trends at ITB Asia 2024, Liz Ortiguera, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, WTTC, said, “76% of travellers now seek sustainable travel options, with that figure climbing to 99% in some Asia Pacific markets while emphasising sustainability, community engagement, and Asia Pacific’s pivotal role in the sector’s future.”

Aimed at providing support & resources to SMEs within the global travel & tourism sector, the WTTC launched ‘Together in Travel’ at its 2024 Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia. It is designed to provide SMEs with the tools & resources they need, ensuring their voices are heard on a global scale.

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) celebrates the milestone of bringing over 5,000 properties across more than 80 countries under the hotel sustainability basics (basics) programme. It is planning to expand across India with the help of major hotel brands such as Radisson India.

According to WTTC 2024 report, India’s travel and tourism sector has recovered significantly but international travel spend in India continues to remain below pre-Covid levels. Consulting firm McKinsey & Company had earlier projected that India will become the fourth-largest domestic travel market in terms of spending by 2030.

Speaking at FITUR in Madrid, Julia Simpson President & CEO, WTTC, said, “AI is a strategic tool that can drive sustainable improvements, and create real time pricing models.” The latest WTTC report also highlighted AI will revolutionize the tourism sector creating real time pricing models.

TTC and Biosphere joined hands to promote sustainability in the hotel industry. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, “The collaboration is a fundamental step towards international standardisation in sustainability, creating a clear and homogeneous pathway for the industry.”

The research by WTTC highlights the consistent, steady growth of young people employed directly by the sector over the last decade, with a total of 39.7 million jobs supported by Travel & Tourism around the world in 2019, up 28% since 2010. However, this figure was significantly impacted by COVID-19, where youth employment dropped 27%.