Formed in May 1990 at the third Global Travel and Tourism Summit by more than 500 of the most influential political and business groups in the world, the World Travel and Tourism Council is the forum for global business leaders, composed of the Presidents and Chief Executive Officers of over 100 world's leading companies. It was created with the vision that would encourage a partnership between private and public stakeholders to strengthen industry efforts and turn challenges into new opportunities. Currently WTTC is the only body that represents private sector in all parts of the travel and tourism industry worldwide.
Since its launching, the World Travel and Tourism Council has expressed its commitment to realizing the potential of travel and tourism industry for development and growth, as well as ensuring sustainable benefits for all parts involved. The mission of WTTC can be defined in the light of interaction between the economic situation and travel and tourism industry: to raise awareness of economic impact of the largest generator of jobs in the world - travel and tourism. More and more governments are now adopting Blueprint for New Tourism, the policy framework of the WTTC for sustainable tourism development, aimed at unlocking the industry's potential.
The WTTC Blueprint for New Tourism was designed to promote travel and tourism as a partnership by achieving results that meet the needs and requirements of national economies, regional and local authorities, as well as local communities based on business balancing economies with environment, culture and people; governments' recognition of travel and tourism as top priority; and a constant pursuit of long-term prosperity and growth. The World Travel Council invites stakeholders to join the Blueprint's call of action and to pursue the joint task of building the New Tourism, one of the largest industries worldwide, responsible for more than 10% of global GDP.
The Blueprint's creation was approved by the resolution at the last Global Travel and Tourism Summit, held in May 2005 in Vilamora, Portugal. In order to achieve the vision and meet the challenges, the Blueprint for New Tourism has established a number of conditions that must be met by governments. First and foremost, governments must recognize travel and tourism as the top priority through creating a competitive business environment; investing in the development of the appropriate human capital; ensuring top quality data and statistics; liberalizing transport, trade and communications; building confidence in security and safety; planning for sustainable tourism growth and investing in new technologies.
To balance economies with people, environment and culture, the industry must provide sensitively traditional tourism products; expand markets without causing damage to local heritage and natural resources; improve choice, value and quality; implement quality standards at all levels; and communicate more effectively and broadly.
By sharing the pursuit of growth and prosperity, the stakeholders are committed to preparing sustainable plans for entire destinations; developing skills effectively; collaborating on information requirements; and setting environmental policy goals that can be met.