Former UN chief Ban Ki-Moon has been announced as the first major speaker who will be addressing The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit later this month.
The event takes place in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from November 28 to December 1.
The WTTC Global Summit is viewed as being the most influential travel and tourism event of the year.
Ban Ki-Moon was seen as a huge supporter of sustainability, gender equality and climate issues during his tenure as UN Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Ban Ki-Moon has spent his eminent career in public service, inspiring international co-operation, and peace, and advocating for sustainable development. It is a pleasure to have such an influential speaker confirmed for our Global Summit in Riyadh.”
“Our event will bring together many of the world’s most powerful people in Travel & Tourism to discuss and secure its long-term future, which is critical to economies and employment around the world,” she said.
The former South Korean Foreign Minister will head up a group of global tourism leaders and government representatives to support the industry’s recovery and progress towards a more inclusive and sustainable model.