The fifth and largest UNWTO Ministers’ Summit held in cooperation with World Travel Market will look at how the travel and tourism sector can prosper following the global downturn (London, UK, 8 November 2011).

Tourism Ministers and industry leaders attending the November 8 Summit - How Tourism Can Prosper Following the Global Downturn - will discuss and agree actions and principles the sector should take moving forward to consolidate recovery.

The 2011 UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at WTM is poised to be the biggest yet with almost 200 ministers and aides expected to attend. The debate will look at how the private and public sectors can work together to tackle current industry challenges.

Ministers and business leaders will review and debate:
- The impact of fiscal consolidation and increased taxation in Europe
- The effects of the developments in the MENA region on tourism
- Consumers’ greater control of the market
- Technology and new booking patterns, and
- The growing importance of emerging markets

Senior industry executives will again debate with ministers how the private and public sectors can work better together. Previous industry participants include TUI Chief Executive Peter Long, Thomas Cook Chief Executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa and Co-op Travel Managing Director, Mike Greenacre.

World Travel Market Chairman, Fiona Jeffery said: “I am very much looking forward to this year’s Ministers’ Summit. The summit is now in its fifth year and has been a great success with each one attracting more and more ministers. The 2011 edition is poised to be the biggest yet with almost 200 ministers and aides in attendance discussing the key issues to help the industry consolidate following the global downturn”.

“The UNWTO Ministers’ Summit at the World Travel Market is a key moment for us. It constitutes a unique platform for debate between the ministers of tourism and between the public and the private sector,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “We are extremely pleased at our long standing relationship with the World Travel Market which has been decisive in making this event a success,” he added.