Malta continues to strengthen its position as one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe, as more than 1,000 international delegates and 190 journalists gather in our country to discuss the global tourism industry.
The Summit is taking place at a time when the European tourism industry is showing strong growth. According to the latest research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the sector in Europe is expected to grow by 3.1% in 2026, continuing to grow at a higher pace than the wider economy.
For Malta, the moment is particularly significant. WTTC data shows that in 2025 Malta had the highest annual increase in the contribution of Tourism and Travel to GDP among European economies, with growth of 16.8%, compared to the European average of 2.6%. For 2026, the sector is expected to generate 4.9 billion dollars for the Maltese economy, representing 16.9% of the country’s GDP, while supporting more than one in five jobs in Malta.
The scale of the Summit reflects the growing importance of tourism on the global economy and Malta’s position as a platform for international discussion.
During the Summit, more than 100 speakers will address themes including investment, connectivity, innovation, artificial intelligence, skills and workforce, destination competitiveness and sustainability.
Tourism Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that the Summit is offering an opportunity for Malta, together with international leaders, to discuss concrete solutions to the realities facing the sector, including the need for more investment, better connectivity, technological innovation, skills development and sustainable growth. He reiterated that for Malta, hosting the WTTC Global Summit is therefore more than an international conference, it is an opportunity for the country to present its progress, share its vision for the future and continue to strengthen ties with leaders and organisations that are shaping the future of the global tourism industry.
“Hosting the WTTC Global Summit is a recognition of Malta’s position as a world-class tourism destination. Our ambition is not only to welcome more tourists, but to create quality, sustainable tourism that adds greater value to our economy and communities. This Summit gives us the opportunity to continue to strengthen Malta’s investment, innovation and competitiveness in the global tourism sector. Malta today is not just welcoming the world of tourism. It is being one of the platforms where the future direction of the sector is being discussed,” concluded Dr Abela.
WTTC Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre, said that Malta is an ideal host for the Summit due to its commitment to the sector, while stressing the importance of international leaders strengthening collaboration and creating new initiatives that continue to drive growth, investment and opportunities.
Photos: MFT/DOI
