Texas (USA) – April 11, 2016 (travelindex.com) – Bangkok, Thailand, has been selected to host the prestigious WTTC Global Summit 2017, scheduled for April 26 and 27, 2017. The World Tourism Council (WTTC) announced its decision in the closing keynote address of the 16th WTTC Global Summit on April 7, 2016, in Dallas, Texas.

David Scowsill, President and CEO of the WTTC, said: “The WTTC Global Summit is the most influential travel and tourism event of the year. It brings together hundreds of leaders from public and private organizations to discuss and address the most important issues facing our industry. Travel and tourism are among the world’s most important drivers of employment and prosperity, contributing over $7.2 trillion to global GDP and supporting 284 million jobs – that’s one in eleven jobs worldwide.”

Mr. Scowsill continued: “Thailand has a superbly established travel and tourism industry. Despite challenges, the sector grew by an impressive 18.4% in 2015, contributing almost 21% to the country’s GDP (US$81.6 billion or THB 2.8 trillion). It also supported 5.9 million jobs, representing 15.4% of total employment. I am delighted that Bangkok will host the 2017 Global Summit, which will highlight the Thai government’s significant efforts to promote travel and tourism throughout the country.”

Her Excellency Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, said: "We are very pleased and honored to host the WTTC Global Summit next year. This is a great opportunity to showcase Bangkok as an important meeting place for the world's leading executives in the travel and tourism industry."

“The World Tourism Council’s choice of Thailand to host the summit underlines the Thai government’s commitment to developing the travel and tourism sector in the country,” she added.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “Hosting the summit in Bangkok is a recognition of the city’s importance as an international hub, serving a large number of international visitors through Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport.”

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to Bangkok next year and showcasing the beauty of our country,” the governor concluded.

For further information about the WTTC, please contact: Ms. Annebeth Wijtenburg, Head of Public Relations, World Travel & Tourism Council, Email: [email protected]

International Public Relations Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel.: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48, Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.TATnews.org