Tourexpi
The
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
launched ‘Together in Travel’ at its 2024 Global Summit in Perth, Western
Australia today, a unique initiative aimed at providing support and resources
to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the global Travel & Tourism
sector.
The
‘Together in Travel’ platform is designed to provide SMEs with the tools and
resources they need to accelerate their business growth and ensure their voices
are heard on a global scale.
Through
a dynamic and free-to-subscribe platform, Subscribers will have access to a
wealth of content, networking opportunities, and educational programmes.
Next
year, the initiative will also introduce additional paid subscriber options,
offering enhanced features and benefits to further support SMEs in their
journey towards success.
Speaking
at the global tourism body’s 24th Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia,
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “SMEs are a cornerstone of Travel
& Tourism with millions of small enterprises providing services to
customers, creating innovative start-ups and providing local knowledge to
larger partners.
For
the first time ever, these SMEs can join a community to share ideas and tools
to strengthen their businesses.
The
global tourism body is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel &
Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an
all-time high of $11.1 trillion.
The
sector also plays a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship and bringing new
ideas to Travel & Tourism. Some of today’s great companies began as ideas
‘at the kitchen table’. Some data suggests up to 80% of the sector comprises
SMEs. This figure highlights the prevalence of SMEs in the sector and the
growing need for a structured support system that can optimise productivity and
impact.
Matthew
Upchurch, Vice Chair of Membership at WTTC and Chairman & CEO of Virtuoso,
said: “The launch of the ‘Together in Travel’ community marks a significant
milestone for WTTC in its mission to advocate for the interests of SMEs within
the travel industry and drive positive change through meaningful engagement and
support.
“As
the travel sector continues to navigate the challenges brought about by the
global pandemic, initiatives like this are essential in building a more
resilient and sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.”
Ryan
Mossny, Co-Founder - Matagarup Zip+Climb, said “As a small business, accessing
the vital resources and industry connections needed to thrive in the travel
sector can be challenging. WTTC’s new initiative has come at a perfect time;
through tailored support, we will be able to directly tackle our problem areas
head-on, allowing us not only to survive but to thrive in an increasingly
competitive market.”
As
the leading global authority on the economic and social impact of Travel &
Tourism, WTTC is committed to promoting sustainable growth and inclusive
practices within the sector.
For
more information about the community launch, visit Together in Travel www.togetherintravel.com WTTC www.wttc.org.
Image
Credit: © WTTC
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