Against a background of continued growth for Travel & Tourism in a rapidly evolving world, the upcoming Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Dubai, being held from 20-22 April, is designed to facilitate an open exchange of ideas between industry and government on the future responsibilities of the Travel & Tourism sector as its influence increases and expands worldwide.

According to the latest research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), global tourism is expected to increase at a rate of 3.0% in 2008, in terms of total Travel & Tourism Demand, with growth averaging 4.4% annually over the next ten years. The Travel & Tourism Economy should generate over 238 million jobs worldwide and contribute to 9.9% of global GDP in 2008, rising to more than 296 million and 10.5% respectively by 2018.

These impressive figures demonstrate not only the scale and reach of Travel & Tourism, but also its sustained resilience in the face of multiple, and growing, challenges worldwide.

Nevertheless, despite Travel & Tourism's growing importance, in emerging markets as well as in developing economies, the industry recognises that it has an increasingly significant role to play in addressing and finding solutions to these many challenges - especially those that could have a negative impact on emerging economies - without jeopardising people's right to travel.

The Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Dubai will provide a forum at which industry and governments will demonstrate Travel & Tourism's contribution to peace and international understanding, as well as its economic and social benefits.

It will also provide governments and industry leaders with the opportunity of influencing the business of Travel & Tourism, including planning, investment, development, education and training, in order to demonstrate how challenges have already been met in transforming good intentions into well-implemented projects.

As a mature international sector, Travel & Tourism must respond wisely to the different challenges and interconnected pressures, ensuring that these are taken into account in all related decision-making, with the aim of nurturing the world's natural and cultural environments and broadening the impact of Travel & Tourism's social and economic benefits.

The open and frank discussions that traditionally characterise the annual Global Travel & Tourism Summit will, hopefully, once again in Dubai, inspire individuals, businesses and governments - whether speakers, panellists or simply delegates - to embrace their role as world citizens with renewed energy and commitment.