The WTTC will welcome tourism leaders from around the world to its Global Summit 2015 in Madrid

José Manuel Barroso will speak at the World Travel & Tourism Council fifteenth annual Global Summit in Madrid, on April 15th-16th.

At a press conference at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum today, Spanish government authorities and WTTC announced that the theme for the Summit will be ‘Disruption & Reinvention’.

They also announced that the former president of the European Commission will speak at the prestigious global event alongside international business leaders including Ana Botín, executive chairman of Santander Bank.

Up to 1,000 people from around the world, including 300 chief executives, government ministers, thought leaders and media will come to Madrid for the Summit.

Co-hosted by Comunidad de Madrid and Madrid City Hall, with the collaboration of the Spanish ministry of tourism, the summit will be held in Madrid’s largest conference venue, IFEMA, and a Gala Dinner will take place at Palacio de Cibeles in the city centre.

José Manuel Barroso’s presentation will discuss Europe’s economic and political past, present and future and how tourism stands as Europe enters a new political environment.

Other speakers at the summit include Luis Gallego, chief executive, Iberia; Luis Maroto, president, Amadeus; Federico González Tejera, chief executive, NH Hotel Group; Petra Nemcova, philanthropist; Richard Leakey, anthropologist and conservationist; and David Scowsill, WTTC president.

Leaders and industry experts will discuss the industry’s global growth and the characteristics of tourism in the future.

Thought leaders from inside and outside tourism will give their perspective on some of the disruptive forces challenging the sector today - including geopolitical risk, climate change and technology - and how the sector can respond to them.

Tourism development in Spain will also be explored, with a focus on Madrid’s emergence as a hub linking Spain to the rest of the world. 

Best practice in sustainable tourism from across the world will also be celebrated at WTTC’s prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Awards ceremony on April 15th, where five winners from the shortlist of 15 finalists will be announced.