WTTC to Host 200+ Travel CEOs in Malta for 2026 Summit

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will bring more than 200 leading travel and tourism CEOs to Malta next month. The 26th WTTC Global Summit is scheduled for Valletta from October 7 to 9, 2026.

This gathering is the premier event for private sector leaders, governments, and international organizations in the travel industry. It provides a platform to exchange ideas and influence the sector's direction. The event will draw senior executives from across the travel ecosystem.

Confirmed attendees include hospitality giants like Hilton's Christopher J. Nassetta, IHG's Elie Maalouf, and Four Seasons' Alejandro Reynal. They will be joined by leaders from companies such as American Express Travel, Accor, Marriott International, and Expedia Group.

A Landmark Opportunity for Malta

For Malta, hosting this summit is an unprecedented event. The island has never welcomed such a concentrated group of global travel industry leadership before. This places Malta at the center of conversations that will influence the industry's future.

Many delegates will experience Malta for the first time. The summit offers the country a chance to shows its tourism infrastructure and investment potential. WTTC's own research forecasts the travel sector will make a significant contribution to Malta's economy in 2026.

Summit Theme and Focus

The theme for the 2026 event is "FUTU[RE]SET: Shaping the Future of Travel & Tourism." Discussions will focus on how the industry can adapt to profound changes. These include technological shifts, artificial intelligence, and evolving consumer expectations.

A central focus will be strengthening public-private collaboration. Leaders will explore how partnerships can address shared challenges and unlock sustainable growth. The goal is to build a more resilient and competitive future for travel.

Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC, highlighted the summit's importance. "Bringing more than 200 of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and senior executives to Malta is a powerful demonstration of the strength and global importance of our sector," she said.

Executive Access and Legacy

For the first time, WTTC is offering a limited number of Executive Access Passes to organizations outside its membership. These passes grant access to the full summit agenda and exclusive networking events.

The summit follows the 25th Global Summit held in Rome in 2025. Previous events have tackled issues like destination stewardship, sustainable aviation, and workforce development. Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, expressed pride in hosting the global community. He noted the potential for relationships formed during the summit to generate opportunities for Malta for years to come.