The second annual United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Minsters' Summit will take place on Tuesday 11 November 2008 at World Travel Market (WTM) at ExCeL London.

All eyes will be on WTM in London as Ministers seek to address the pressing challenges of Responding to the economic downturn and staying on course with the climate and poverty reduction agendas.

Faced with the increasing global economic uncertainty, the tourism sector must seriously examine how these reservations will affect the industry while making sure to not lose sight of its commitment to provide solutions to global challenges, particularly global warming, sustainable development and poverty.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Francesco Frangialli, said "A new and more demanding economic scenario has emerged in recent times. While factoring this into the international tourism agenda, we must not lose sight of the unaffected challenges of climate change response and the fight against poverty. The long-term starts today and the tourism sector must act now and face up to the economic uncertainty with all of its constructive potential. We are proud to count on World Travel Market as a partner in this endeavour."

Speaking about the Ministers' Summit, Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market said, "We are moving into extremely challenging times and it is important that strategically we do not forget the big picture and long term goals whilst dealing in a very different economic climate. The Ministers' Summit, part of WTM's Ministerial Programme working with the UNWTO, aims to keep these long term goals at the forefront of our industry and provide a timely forum for discussion, debate and leadership."

Ministers of Tourism have been formally invited to participate at this important international event with the objective to assist in deepening the debate on the economic downturn and its effects on climate change and poverty reduction agendas.

World Travel Market has established itself as the global fulcrum of debate and discussion for the travel and tourism industry and is a key reason why it is now the backdrop for the Ministers' Summit on Tuesday 11 November. The WTM Ministers' Summit forms part of World Travel Market's Ministers' Programme, now in its fourth year and will confront and help to resolve the threats and opportunities of the future.

More than 45,000 travel professionals, senior management and buyers are expected to attend World Travel Market 2008 at ExCeL London, representing every region, country and industry sector throughout the world. They come to conduct business, negotiate and agree contracts, network, exchange views, share information and keep their finger on the ever changing pulse of the public and private sectors.