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. 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.” He also thanked the Ministry and the MTA for securing the achievement.

WTTC Interim Chief Executive Officer Gloria Guevara commented: “We are thrilled to bring the WTTC Global Summit to Valletta, one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals. Malta will provide an extraordinary setting as leaders from around the world come together to shape the future of Travel and Tourism. This industry provides a backbone to Malta’s economy. This year, WTTC is forecasting that Malta’s travel and tourism will contribute €3.6 billion to the economy, 43.5% above 2019 levels. We are also projecting that the sector will support one in five jobs in the country this year, growing 18% over 2019.”

Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, also emphasised the importance of hosting the summit, noting: “This summit reflects the commitment of our tourism industry to drive quality, embrace resilience, and lead with vision. Beyond the immediate returns of such an event, the Global Summit will also solidify Malta’s reputation as a centre of excellence in tourism, with lasting benefits for our industry, our economy and our people.”

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.