According to a recent World Travel & Tourism Council report, indigenous tourism is expected to contribute USD 67 billion to the global economy by 2034. Titled “Supporting Global Indigenous Tourism,” the report was launched at the WTTC’s Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia, and demonstrates the vital contribution of Indigenous tourism to economic growth in remote areas while holding a critical position in preserving cultural heritage and developing the community.
The President and CEO of WTTC, Julia Simpson, remarked during the summit that indigenous tourism transcends merely the display of rich cultural traditions. “It is fundamentally about empowering communities, creating sustainable employment opportunities, and ensuring that Indigenous peoples maintain control over their own narratives and economic futures,” she said.
The report underscores how Indigenous tourism, from the perspective of a fast-tracker in economic development, also means protecting priceless cultural heritage, thereby giving this experience a distinct potential that integrates well with isolated areas. Therefore, Simpson urged that indigenous enterprises need to be supported, alongside the growing demand for authentic experiences in different parts of the world, and they should have the resources and funding necessary to thrive.
Importantly, the report emphasises the role of Indigenous tourism in attempting to save cultural heritage, as well as its languages and traditional practices. The 24th WTTC Global Summit was a three-day event that brought together industry leaders and government officials with delegates from around the world to discuss the future of tourism.
At the event, WTTC announced a new initiative called “Together in Travel,” which will focus on providing support and resources to small and medium-sized enterprises across the globe in the travel and tourism industry. The platform is designed to empower SMEs with the required tools and resources for further growth and to ensure their voices are heard internationally.
Another key takeaway from the summit was that business travel is anticipated to surpass pre-pandemic levels of USD 1.5 trillion in 2024, with recovery in business travel happening quicker than had been anticipated. The rapid growth of remote work during the pandemic led to a devastating contraction in business travel compared to leisure, where virtual solutions increasingly substituted face-to-face meetings.
According to ForwardKeys, a leading travel intelligence firm and a WTTC knowledge partner, the global tourism industry posted a strong rebound, with international arrivals increasing by 16% compared to the same period in 2023. The Asia Pacific region is driving this rebound, showing stronger performance as it has reopened after a delayed post-pandemic recovery.
WTTC also reported that the travel and tourism sector in Oceania can add another USD 112 billion to the regional economy by 2034, thus further increasing its overall contribution to a historic USD 336 billion. The report, “Unlocking Opportunities for Travel & Tourism Growth in Oceania” outlines the great potential in the region’s sector, asserting that with strategic investments, Oceania will become a global leader in sustainable travel.
At the summit, Nguyen Thao Van of University, Vietnam, was awarded the title of the first-ever Investors’ Nest winner in partnership with the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge. The event showcased groundbreaking solutions from promising student minds to revolutionise hospitality in the future.
The latest Environmental and Social Research published by WTTC in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia reveals that, in 2023, travel and tourism accounted for 6.7 percent of global emissions, down from 7.8 percent in 2019, when the sector peaked. While the sector’s economic contribution is growing, the environmental impact is increasing at a slower rate.
Among the speakers were former US Secretary of State John Kerry and renowned Australian conservationist Robert Irwin, who raised important global environmental challenges that need to be addressed by the sector, as well as ways in which tourism can contribute to these areas.
WTTC also announced that the 25th Global Summit will be held in Rome next year to continue discussions about the future of the travel and tourism sector.
