Malta to host World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in 2026

Valletta has been confirmed as the host city for the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in 2026, marking the first time that Malta will welcome the organisation’s flagship event.

The announcement was made during the closing ceremony of this year’s edition in Rome on Tuesday afternoon (today). The summit, widely recognised as the leading annual gathering of global tourism leaders, brings together ministers, key industry players, destination management organisations and international media.

Hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), the 26th WTTC Global Summit will be the largest tourism summit ever held in the Maltese Islands. Over three days, it will unite influential figures from the public and private sectors to forge partnerships, drive sustainable investment, and reaffirm the essential role of travel and tourism in the global economy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg described the announcement as a proud moment for Malta, stating: “It is an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the cultural heritage, innovation, and hospitality of our destination, empowering local players to explore collaborations with leading international brands, while positioning Malta at the forefront of discussions on sustainability, community engagement, and resilience in international tourism development.”

WTTC Interim Chief Executive Officer Gloria Guevara commented: “This year, WTTC is forecasting that Malta’s travel and tourism will contribute €3.6 billion to the economy, 43.5 per cent above 2019 levels. We are also projecting that the sector will support one in five jobs in the country this year, growing 18 per cent over 2019.”

The WTTC Global Summit is considered the most influential event on the international tourism calendar, featuring panels, presentations and networking opportunities. Although invitation-only, individual sessions are typically made available online to the wider public.