WTTC, UAE Government Summit Forge Partnership on Travel Policy

A new public-private partnership between the World Travel & Tourism Council and an initiative of the UAE Prime Minister's Office seeks to bridge government and corporate perspectives on travel industry policy, according to an announcement this week.

The World Travel & Tourism Council formalized a memorandum of understanding with the World Governments Summit Organization that will leverage the council's network of corporate executives alongside the summit organization's connections with government officials and policymakers. The agreement centers on creating forums for collaboration addressing technology adoption, environmental sustainability, labor shortages, and changing consumer behavior across the sector.

Under the arrangement, both organizations will coordinate knowledge sharing and policy discussions, with particular emphasis on the World Governments Summit's ongoing Future of Tourism dialogue. Planned activities include co-hosted gatherings in the Emirates and abroad, plus collaborative initiatives targeting innovation, destination strategy, and what organizers describe as future-ready tourism infrastructure.

Gloria Guevara, who leads the World Travel & Tourism Council, and Mohamed Al Sharhan, managing director of the World Governments Summit, executed the partnership document. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the summit organization, endorsed the collaboration. "The future of Travel & Tourism will be shaped by the strength of collaboration between governments and the private sector," Guevara said in prepared remarks accompanying the announcement.

The partnership arrives as travel companies navigate what officials characterize as rapid shifts in operational technology, mounting pressure to reduce environmental impact, difficulty recruiting and retaining workers, and evolving expectations among travelers. The framework established by the memorandum is designed to produce joint policy positions and investment approaches that address these interrelated challenges.

The World Governments Summit Organization operates under the purview of the UAE Prime Minister's Office and convenes international government representatives, corporate leaders, and policy experts. The World Travel & Tourism Council represents major hospitality, airline, and travel service companies worldwide. Both organizations have indicated the partnership will support what they term sustainable economic expansion through the travel sector.