Arnold Donald, Carnival Corporation president and chief executive, told the conference in Manila: “I really urge you to continue to be strong advocates of the economic importance of the travel and tourism sector and strong advocates for the positive impact it brings.”

Arnold said the global industry was set to create 35 million new jobs and contribute nearly $4 trillion in extra GDP.

He urged the industry to campaign for non-restrictive borders and the elimination of “confusing travel protocols” while being mindful of Covid requirements.

He added travel and tourism could make the world a safer place. “One of my favourite phrases is that travel brings people together, so they discover what they have in common and they learn to celebrate their differences rather than to fear them.”

WTTC president and chief executive Julia Simpson added the industry had a “bright future”. “People are travelling again; the next decade is certainly there for the taking,” she said.

The WTTC also previewed Saudi Arabia as the venue for its next Global Summit. 

The event will take place in the capital Riyadh on 30 November-2 December 2022. The decision to host the summit there follows huge investment from the Saudi government to drive visitors to the country, previously largely out of bounds to tourists and comes despite concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Former WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara stepped down in May last year to take up the role of chief special advisor at the Saudi ministry of tourism.

Saudi Tourism Authority chief executive Fahd Hamidaddin told the Manila summit the forthcoming event would be “nothing less than what Saudi Arabia and the WTTC can do together”.