World Travel & Tourism World Travel & Tourism CounCilCounCil

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is a business leaders' forum for Travel and Tourism and is composed of Chairmen and Chief Executives of 100 of world organisations, representing all regions and sectors of the industry. Membership to WTTC recognises that the travel and tourism industry is the largest services industry, supporting 255 million jobs and generating 9 per cent of world GDP.

Monitoring the growth of the industry allows WTTC to set specific strategic priorities to identify issues that most impede the operation or development of the sector.

HisToryHisTory

The World Travel & Tourism Council started with a group of industry chairs and CEOs in the late 1980s who realised that the industry was one of the largest provider of jobs and wanted to make governments understand the important economic contribution it makes. At the time Travel & Tourism was considered by many as frivolous or at least, a 'non- essential activity'.

Investment and support given by the founding group of hard economic data would get would get interest from governments and therefore start to sustain the industry for future generations to enjoy.

About WttC’s PoliCy & ReseARCh About WttC’s PoliCy & ReseARCh PRogRAmme PRogRAmme

Policy and Research is at the heart of WTTC’s activities, providing data to underpin the organisation’s messaging, thought leadership to develop positioning on a range of issues, and driving policy initiatives which effect change. Work is structured under three key priorities. • Freedom to Travel • Policies for Growth • Tourism for Tomorrow

Freedom to TravelFreedom to Travel

WTTC believes in the right of people to travel safely, securely and efficiently across international borders. We recognise that there are genuine concerns about sovereign border security that must remain the preserve of individual nation states, every country has the right to defend itself as it sees fit.

Freedom to TravelFreedom to Travel

However, given its mission to maximize the sustainable growth potential of the industry, it is the role of WTTC to call on governments to adopt smarter visa and border security policies to promote Travel & Tourism as a driver of jobs and economic growth. It is time for a fundamental change in the minds of governments - balancing security needs with freedom to travel by moving away from the current approach to a faster implementation of visa waiver and trusted traveller programmes.

Freedom to TravelFreedom to Travel In 2012 WTTC and the World Tourism

Organisation (UNWTO) prepared a report about the impact of visas on the G20 countries, which was presented at the 4th T20 Ministers' Meeting in Mexico. This report shows the great gains that can be achieved through visa facilitation.

Expanding on the work done on the G20, WTTC and UNWTO also prepared a report on the impact of visa facilitation on the APEC economies. This report was presented on the occasion of the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue in October 2013.

Policies for GrowthPolicies for Growth

WTTC campaigns for governments to implement policies which support the growth of Travel & Tourism through the creation of a competitive business environment.

Despite challenges to economic growth, the Travel & Tourism industry is still expected to be one of the world's fastest growing sectors. But it must have clear support from governments, if its full potential to create jobs, increase exports and stimulate investment is to be realised. In fact, the impetus lies with governments to ensure that their policies specifically pave the way for companies to offer services to consumers without burdensome bureaucracy.

Policies for GrowthPolicies for Growth

• WTTC believes that the most appropriate way to reap the enormous economic and social benefit that Travel & Tourism brings is to develop sensible policies guided by 5 basic principles of intelligent taxation: • Equity• Efficiency• Simplicity• Fair Revenue Generation• Effective Stimulus to Growth

Tourism for TomorrowTourism for Tomorrow

The sustainable growth of Travel & Tourism is at the heart of WTTC's mission statement. Tourism for Tomorrow is WTTC's vision for a sustainable future for our industry.

It is Travel & Tourism which, while growing:• Impacts natural and cultural environments in a positive way• Provides benefits to all sectors of society, including young

people, women and indigenous peoples.• Attracts and develops a skilled workforce to support

growing demand.• Stimulates consumer demand for sustainable products• Uses latest technology to find innovative solutions to future

challenges.

MISSIONMISSION

WTTC advocates partnership between the public and private sectors, delivering results that match the needs of economies, local and regional authorities and local communities with those of business, based on:• Governments recognising Travel & Tourism as a

top priority• Business balancing economics with people, culture

and environment• A shared pursuit of long-term growth and

prosperity.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

WTTC works to raise awareness of Travel & Tourism as one of the world's largest industries, supporting 260 million jobs and generating 9 per cent of world GDP.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the forum for business leaders in the Travel & Tourism industry. With Chief Executives of some one hundred of the world's leading Travel & Tourism companies as its Members, WTTC has a unique mandate and overview on all matters related to Travel & Tourism.

THANKSTHANKS

PRESENTED BYPRESENTED BY RAVIKANT

SHARMA