Lisbon, Portugal will host of the 7th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, taking place from May 10 to 12, 2007. Following the Summit in New Delhi, India in 2005, this year’s event was held for the first time in Washington DC and a large number of senior officials from the US government including Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff and Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, addressed a crowd of some 700 leaders and shared their views on the issues and challenges facing the industry today and in the future.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC President, said: “We are delighted to accept the invitation from the Secretary State of Tourism for Portugal to host the Summit in Lisbon in 2007. The Global Travel & Tourism Summit has been held on three previous occasions in Vilamoura, in 1997, 2000 and 2003 and we are honoured to work once again with Portugal to ensure that the Summit builds on its success. Lisbon will provide the ideal platform to encourage global leaders to broadcast a message of strength and unity for the Travel & Tourism industry.”

The proposed Host Committee in Portugal has already obtained strong support from the Portuguese Prime Minister, José Socrates and the Mayor of Lisbon, Antonio Carmona Rodrigues.

Manuel Fernando Esp’rito Santo, Chairman Esp’rito Santo Tourism said: “As a long standing board Member of WTTC, I look forward to welcoming the 7th Global Travel & Tourism Summit to Lisbon. Travel & Tourism is one of the most important contributors to the Portuguese economy expected to account in 2006 for 6.4 per cent of GDP and 17.7 per cent of total employment. Both public and private companies are committed to making this event a huge success by providing their generous sponsorship and vital organizational skills.”

Fernando Pinto, TAP Portugal CEO added: “As a major European city, Lisbon is an ideal location to host this event and is easily accessible from any point in the world. TAP Portugal is committed to offering all delegates a high level of service and to making their visit to Portugal an easy and pleasurable experience.”

The Summit is the industry’s highest profile event and attracts Chief Executives, Chairmen and Presidents of the world’s most foremost Travel & Tourism companies as well as senior government officials and influential media from around the globe. The event provides a unique platform for discussion between the leading public and private sector decision makers who will shape the future of one of the world’s largest industries - Travel & Tourism.

Unlike the majority of commercial and political conferences that are effectively a procession of speeches, with little time built in for questions, the Summit will revolve around a series of highly interactive discussions, moderated by business leaders, journalists and TV presenters, who challenge and organize contributions from the audience. This format promises to promote genuine, lively discussion and is a great chance for industry leaders to express their opinions candidly.
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