News Article | World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Football icon Drogba announced as keynote speaker

Kigali will host the Top Travel and Tourism Voices of the world

Kigali, Rwanda: The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is gearing up for its stellar 23rd Global Summit in Kigali this week (Nov 1-3), with Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba taking center stage.

Regarded as one of the greatest African football players in history, and the all-time leading scorer and former captain of the Ivory Coast national team, Drogba will share his experience growing up in the country of West Africa, and its continuing struggle for social progress. After retiring from professional football, this titan of industry continues to inspire and change lives.

The WTTC is pleased to announce that three Heads of State will also take the stage at the 23rd Global Summit, and a Vice President.

Other keynote speakers include Justin Urquhart-Stewart, renowned global economist and business commentator; David P. Pekoske, Administrator of the United States Transportation Security Administration; Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club.

Other notable speakers included Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, and Yvonne Makolo, CEO of Rwandair and Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the first woman to take on this role.

The theme of the Summit highlights the importance of the sector beyond revenue: its impact on the planet and global communities. Business leaders from around the world will collaborate to future-proof the sector, ensuring resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability.

Speakers from WTTC include Arnold Donald, WTTC Chair; Greg O’Hara, Founder and Managing Partner Certares; Gloria Fluxa, Vice Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer, Iberostar; Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, chairman of Heritage Group and co-chairman of Abercrombie and Kent, Julie Shainock (confirmed), Global Managing Director for Travel, Transport Logistics and Hospitality, Microsoft and Matthew Upchurch, President & CEO of Virtuoso.
Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, said: “We are delighted to announce that such weighty and influential figures will be joining us in Kigali next week.

“This is our first Summit on the African continent. Rwanda’s dedication to the revival of the Travel and Tourism sector after difficult times is commendable. The nation’s rapid growth trajectory positions it as a future tourist hotspot”.

Under the theme “Building Bridges for a Sustainable Future” the event focuses on the value of the sector, not only for the global economy, but for the planet and communities around the world.

During the Global Summit, industry leaders and international government officials from around the world will gather in Rwanda’s capital to continue to align efforts to support the recovery of the sector and face the challenges that the future poses to ensure safer, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable travel. Tourism sector.

Government dignitaries, including South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Patricia from Lille; The Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism of Tanzania, Hon. Angellah Jasmine Mbelwa Kairuki; and the President of Tourism Development of Ukraine, Hon. Mariana Oleskiv, thank you for the opportunity.

For the full program of the Global Summit, click here.

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