The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will host its 26th Global Summit in Valletta, Malta, from October 7–9, 2026, bringing together more than 200 CEOs and senior executives from across the global travel and tourism industry.
Held under the theme “FUTURESET : Shaping the Future of Travel and Tourism,” the three-day summit will focus on the major forces transforming the sector, including technology, artificial intelligence, changing traveller expectations, investment and geopolitical developments.
The event will bring together leaders from the private sector, governments, tourism authorities and international organisations, with discussions covering hospitality, aviation, cruise tourism, travel technology, financial services, destination investment and travel distribution.
Among the prominent business leaders expected to attend are Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton; Elie Maalouf, Global CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO, Four Seasons; Tony Fernandes, CEO, Capital A; Jane Sun, CEO, Trip.com Group; and Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group.
The summit will also have strong representation from India, including Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Indian Hotels Company; Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director, TBO.COM; and Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO, VFS Global. Senior executives from global organisations such as American Express Travel, Accor, Marriott International, Expedia Group, Iberostar, Virtuoso and Microsoft are also expected.
For Malta, hosting the WTTC Global Summit presents an opportunity to showcase its tourism infrastructure, connectivity, heritage and investment potential to influential decision-makers from around the world. The destination also hopes to use the gathering to build new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships across the international travel industry.
Gloria Guevara, President and CEO, WTTC, said the participation of more than 200 global travel and tourism leaders highlights the importance of the sector and provides an opportunity to discuss the changes shaping its future. She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration to create a more resilient, sustainable and competitive travel ecosystem.
Carlo Micallef, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, said the summit is a significant opportunity for Malta to place its tourism offering and future vision before some of the industry’s most influential leaders. He also highlighted the potential for relationships developed during the event to create long-term business and investment opportunities for the destination.
Public-private collaboration will be a key theme throughout the programme, with delegates expected to explore ways to encourage investment, improve competitiveness and support sustainable tourism development while generating value for destinations, businesses and local communities.
The Malta summit follows the 25th WTTC Global Summit in Rome in 2025. The 2026 edition is expected to continue the council’s focus on emerging trends, destination development, technology, sustainability and investment.
With more than 200 senior leaders gathering in Valletta, the WTTC Global Summit 2026 will place Malta at the heart of conversations about the future direction of global travel and tourism.
