WTTC CEO calls for easing visa application procedures

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Julia Simpson, CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), said the sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic was well underway.

They urge governments to further ease visa application procedures.

Simpson suggested Governments to work to ease visa restrictions and accelerate the process of visa applications to further support international tourism.

Latest data from WTTC and its partner Oxford Economics show that global travel is surging back, with all regions recovering faster than previously expected. Asia-Pacific is leading the way.

Simpson said she is really pleased to say that in 2023 they’re going to be back to 2019 levels.

Some regions are already exceeding 2019 numbers. Travel and tourism is growing more than double the rate of global GDP. It’s a growth sector.

Under the theme “Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future” and co-hosted by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), this year’s WTTC event brought together thousands of industry leaders and experts and key government representatives.

It is to support the sector’s growth and move to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Simpson also emphasized that the key to the future of tourism lies in “regenerative tourism”.

This aims at promoting a more sustainable way of travelling.

It also makes sure the cultural heritage, local traditions and environment are conserved from one generation to the next.

The WTTC, founded in 1990, is a global authority on the economic and social contribution of travel and tourism. 

As a nonprofit organization based in London, its members include more than 200 CEOs, chairpersons, and presidents of the world’s leading private-sector travel and tourism businesses.

The WTTC also announced Friday that its 2024 global summit will be taking place in Perth.

It is the capital and largest city of Western Australia.