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WTTC’s Global Summit to Host Top Italian Travel & Tourism Leaders – Image Credit WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today announced its full line-up of speakers set to join its Global Summit in Rome, with the opening ceremony featuring a special performance from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
The global tourism body’s 25th Global Summit will take place from 28–30 September 2025 and hosted in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT, the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region.
Legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, whose career has spanned more than 30 years and has made him one of the world’s most celebrated voices, will bring his extraordinary artistry to this landmark event during the opening ceremony.
Guided by the theme La Grande Bellezza (del Viaggio), The Great Beauty (of Travel), leaders from the public and private sectors will convene at the Auditorium Parco della Musica to forge a path forward for a sector that has proven its strength in creating jobs, strengthening economies, and fostering connections between diverse cultures.
Delegates from around the world will join more than 310 CEOs and Chairs, and 15 Directors, in sessions focusing on bolstering economic growth and job creation, to the power of Artificial intelligence and seamless travel.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Certares, Founder & Senior Managing Director, Greg O’Hara
- Heritage Group/Abercrombie and Kent Travel Group, Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio
- IC Bellagio, CEO – Sole Founder, Andrea Grisdale
- Capital A Berhad, CEO, Anthony Francis Fernandes
- American Express Travel, President, Audrey Hendley
- The Bicester Collection, Chair & Chief Merchant, Desirée Bollier
- TBO.com, Co-Founder, Gaurav Bhatnagar
- Iberostar, Vice-Chairman & CSO, Gloria Fluxà
- Trip.com Group, CEO, Jane Sun
- Zurich Cover-More Global Travel, Inc., President & CEO, Jeffrey C Rutledge
- Diriyah Company, Group CEO, Jerry Inzerillo
- Virtuoso, Founder & CEO, Matthew Upchurch
- Arsenale Spa, CEO, Paolo Barletta
- MSC Group, Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago
- Minor Hotel Group, Founder & Chairman, William E. Heinecke
- Marriott International, President & CEO, Anthony Capuano
- Visit California, President & CEO, Caroline Beteta
- InterContinental Hotels Group, Global CEO, Elie Maalouf
- Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD, President & CEO, Jason Liberty
- Technogym, Founder & CEO, Nerio Alessandri
- Dubai Airports International, CEO, Paul Griffiths
- Accor, CEO, Sébastien Bazin
- Harry’s Bar, Founder, Arrigo Cipriani
- Andrea Bocelli Foundation, President & CEO, Laura Biancalani
- Italo S.p.A, Chairman, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo
- Radisson Hotel Group, CEO, Federico Gonzalez
- Aeroporti di Roma, CEO, Marco Troncone
- Enel S.p.A., Head of Global Sponsorships and Events, Valeria Falcone
- Amadeus, President: Travel, Decius Valmorbida Menezes
- Salvatore Ferragamo Group, Executive Chairman, Leonardo Ferragamo
- Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, CEO, Benjamin Vuchot
- ENIT S.p.A., CEO, Ivana Jelinic
- Terme & Spa Italia, President & Owner, Massimo Caputi
- Vietnam Luxury Express, Co-Founder, Business Development Manager, Thang Phan
- Golden Eagle Luxury Trains President & Founder, Tim Littler
- Rocky Mountaineer, CEO, Tristan Armstrong
- Trenitalia, CEO, Giampiero Strisciuglio
- Starhotels Group, President & CEO, Elisabetta Fabri
- Alpemare Beach Club, General Manager, Fabio Giannotti
- Microsoft, Global Managing Director – Travel, Transport & Hospitality Industry, Julie Shainock
- Bain & Company, Partner, Andrea Alori
- AI Commission for Information, President, Paolo Benanti
- Viking Cruises, Founder & CEO, Torstein Hagen
- Roman Catholic Church, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Archbishop Mons. Rino Fisichella
- Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, President, Giovanni Malago
- International Olympic Committee, Member, Anant Singh
- TURESPANA, Director General, Miguel Sanz
- Play Qiddiya City DMMO, Director General, Ross McAuley
- Tourism Western Australia, Chair, Di Bain
- Fincantieri, CEO, Pierroberto Folgiero
- OMRAN Group, CEO, Hashil Al Mahrouqi
- Alpitour World, CEO, Gabriele Burgio
- INVITALIA, CEO, Bernardo Mattarella
- Difesa Servizi S.p.A., CEO, Luca Andreoli
- Wilderness Destinations, CEO, Keith Vincent
- ensō Group, Executive Chairman, Hunter Lee Soik
- Estense Gallery, Director & Writer, Alessandra Necci
- MMGY Global, CEO, Katie Briscoe
- Indian Hotels Company, CEO, Puneet Chhatwal
- Ant International, President, Douglas Feagin
- Vantage Asset Management, President of the Board, Massimo Ponzellini
- Michelin-starred Chef, Antonino Cannavacciuolo
Italy’s Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, who will also be addressing delegates at this year’s Global Summit, added: “We are proud to host the WTTC Global Summit, an event that highlights the enormous potential of Italian tourism and also stands as a unique opportunity to attract investments to our country. The meeting with international leaders and investors will allow us to discuss and implement fundamental policies to chart a course that makes our tourism industry more competitive in the global market. We must make Italy the reference nation for international tourism, uniting history and vision, tradition and innovation.
“Italy, with its wealth of history and culture and its propensity for innovation, is in the ideal position to lead the transformation of a development model that harmoniously integrates economic growth with the protection of our cultural and environmental heritage. Among other things, this event comes at a historic moment when it is increasingly urgent to talk about peace. Tourism is the best possible tool to foster exchange and dialogue, as it breaks down barriers and strengthens interpersonal relationships, encouraging the connection between different languages and cultures”.
Gloria Guevara, Interim CEO of WTTC, said: “As we gather in Rome for this Global Summit, Travel & Tourism stands at the centre of the global economy. The leaders joining us bring unmatched expertise and vision, and together we will explore how our sector can unlock new opportunities, and foster innovation.
“This Summit is about looking ahead with confidence and ambition, ensuring that Travel & Tourism continues to be one of the most dynamic forces for progress worldwide. Andrea Bocelli’s performance will be the perfect start to an unforgettable Global Summit.”
Ivana Jelinic, CEO of ENIT S.p.A., said: “Tourism is undergoing a transformation to keep up with new global challenges. Sustainability and digitalisation are two new cornerstones of the sector, especially for the younger generations.
“We are constantly seeing how young people are willing to spend even more on their holidays as long as the facilities comply with ESG values. Italy is responding well to these trends and continues to promote its excellence around the world. Villaggio Italia is a great example, it showcases the beauty and uniqueness of our country around the world at major events”.
The Global Summit will set the tone for dynamic debates and showcase the breadth and influence of Travel & Tourism as a driver of global growth and connection.
With speakers and delegates representing more than 65 countries, the 25th WTTC Global Summit will once again demonstrate its unrivalled role as the most influential gathering in Travel & Tourism, where global leadership converges to define priorities and drive the sector forward.
The event is hosted in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT (the Italian national tourist board), the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region.
Other WTTC Partners include Antonio Lefebvre d’Ovidio Di Bolsonaro Philantrophy, Arsenale Spa, Chase Travel (JPMC), Giacomo Milano, MMGY, MSC Group, Terme di Saturnia, and Trip.com Group.
