WTTC gears up for its Global Summit in Malta this fall

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will hold its annual Global Summit in Valletta, Malta from Oct. 7 to Oct. 9, 2026.

The Summit will bring togehter CEOs, government ministers, investors and key stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of global travel, strengthen public-private collaboration, and explore pathways for sustainable growth and investment.

As Malta prepares to host a major travel and tourism event, the country’s own tourism success story provides a compelling backdrop.

According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research, travel and tourism is forecast to contribute US$4.9 billion to Malta’s economy in 2026, accounting for 16.9% of GDP and supporting 72,200 jobs across the country – equivalent to more than one in five jobs nationwide.

Those figures reinforce Malta’s position as one of Europe’s most dynamic and tourism-driven economies, while highlighting the important role Travel & Tourism continues to play in driving growth, investment and opportunity across the country.

Over the past decade, Malta has emerged as a reference point of how destinations can balance strong tourism growth with quality, sustainability and year-round value creation. International arrivals have increased from 2.75 million in 2019 to four million in 2025.

This success is underpinned by a resilient and well-diversified demand base. In 2025, Malta’s international visitor mix was led by the United Kingdom (21%), followed by Italy (15%) and Poland (10%), with France and Germany each contributing 7%.

International visitor spending is projected to surpass US$4 billion this year, up from US$3.9 billion in 2025, when it accounted for 91% of total travel and tourism expenditure. It is forecast to rise further to US$5 billion by 2036. Domestic visitor spending is also set to maintain its upward momentum, reaching US$378.5 million in 2026.

Looking ahead, WTTC forecasts that by 2036 travel and tourism will contribute US$6.5 billion to Malta’s economy and support more than 90,000 jobs, accounting for almost a quarter of all employment nationwide.

From Oct. 7 to Oct. 9 October, Valletta will become the meeting place for the world’s most influential travel and tourism leaders. CEOs, government ministers, investors and innovators from across the sector will gather in Malta to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of travel, share insights on growth and investment, and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, observed: “Valletta provides an extraordinary setting for the conversations that will define the future of global travel and tourism. As one of Europe’s most historic and vibrant capitals, it offers the ideal backdrop for leaders to come together and explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector’s future and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.”

Guevara continued: “This event will be hosted in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and the Government of Malta. Malta represents exactly the kind of destination that is helping shape the future of travel and tourism. The country stands not only as a host nation, but as a destination that demonstrates how travel and tourism can drive prosperity, create opportunities and deliver long-term value for communities and businesses alike.

The WTTC’s boss noted that: “With the sector set to support one in five jobs and contribute close to 17% of GDP, Malta demonstrates the transformative power of travel and tourism when it is guided by strategic vision, collaboration and innovation. We look forward to welcoming leaders from across the global Travel & Tourism sector to Malta this October for WTTC’s Global Summit.”

Go to www.wttc.org for more.