WTM London 2026 will bring together tourism ministers, global travel executives and influential industry personalities to examine the future of international tourism. The event will take place at Excel London from 3 to 5 November 2026.
Tourism representatives from Angola, Belize, Portugal, Guatemala, Jamaica, Uruguay and Montenegro feature among the newly announced speakers for the WTM Wanderlust Headliner Stage.
The expanded programme will address sustainable tourism, destination resilience, accessible travel and changing consumer expectations. Leading aviation, hospitality and travel technology executives will also explore strategies for strengthening international tourism competitiveness.
Organisers have developed the conference around the theme Resilience, Rebound & Reinvention: The Next Era of Global Travel.
The programme reflects growing recognition that tourism development requires coordinated action between governments, destinations and private businesses.
Global Tourism Ministers to Discuss Sustainable Destination Development
Sustainability will occupy a central position in discussions at WTM London 2026.
Government representatives will examine how tourism policies can generate economic opportunities while protecting communities, cultural heritage and natural environments.
Pedro Machado, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Tourism, will discuss the country’s Tourism Strategy 2035.
The strategy places inclusive development, resilience and long-term competitiveness at the centre of Portugal’s tourism ambitions.
His participation will highlight the importance of balancing international visitor growth with local economic benefits.
Tourism leaders from Belize, Guatemala, Angola, Uruguay and Montenegro will contribute perspectives from their respective destinations.
Their participation will broaden discussions about responsible investment, destination management and sustainable tourism infrastructure.
For international tourism stakeholders, these exchanges provide opportunities to examine how different markets respond to environmental and economic pressures.
Tourism Sustainability and Accessible Travel Take Centre Stage
Environmental protection and inclusive travel will feature prominently during the conference on Wednesday, 4 November.
Television presenters Kate Humble and Julia Bradbury will explore how responsible tourism can contribute to protecting natural landscapes.
Their discussion will examine the relationship between visitor activity, conservation initiatives and the preservation of environmentally sensitive destinations.
Accessibility will receive dedicated attention through a panel chaired by television presenter and disability advocate Sophie Morgan.
The discussion will question how accessibility standards are established and whether existing tourism services meet travellers’ diverse requirements.
These conversations could encourage destinations and travel businesses to reassess infrastructure, accommodation design and visitor information.
Improved accessibility can expand travel opportunities while helping tourism operators serve a broader international audience.
Jamaica Tourism Minister to Lead Destination Resilience Discussions
Destination resilience will emerge as another important subject during the event.
On Thursday, 5 November, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, will join representatives from Uganda, Armenia, Cambodia and Valencia.
Their session, Built to Last: Destination Resilience in an Uncertain World, will examine preparations for tourism disruptions.
Discussions will focus on how destinations can strengthen crisis management, recovery planning and long-term economic stability.
Tourism markets increasingly face challenges involving extreme weather, geopolitical uncertainty and changes in international travel demand.
Effective coordination between public institutions and private operators remains essential for maintaining destination confidence.
The session will also provide an opportunity to consider recovery strategies that protect tourism employment and local businesses.
Virgin Atlantic, Delta and Accor Leaders to Explore Travel Innovation
Major international travel companies will contribute commercial perspectives to the WTM London 2026 programme.
Senior representatives from Virgin Group, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels Collection and Virgin Voyages will discuss customer experience on 5 November.
The session will examine how technology and personalised services can strengthen engagement throughout the travel journey.
Matt Long, EMEA Managing Director at Delta Air Lines, will address developments in aviation.
Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, will explore innovation within the package holiday market.
Benoît Racle, Global Brand President of Premium Brands at Accor, will discuss evolving hospitality expectations.
Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton and WeRoad co-founder Fabio Bin will examine growing interest in community-focused travel experiences.
Their discussions will explore how travellers increasingly value cultural exchange, authenticity and meaningful destination connections.
WTM Global Travel Report 2026 to Reveal Emerging Tourism Trends
Another major conference highlight will be the unveiling of the WTM Global Travel Report 2026 on Tuesday, 3 November.
Developed in partnership with Tourism Economics, the report will analyse changing traveller behaviour and international tourism trends.
Its research covers more than 185 countries and examines international travel flows, visitor spending and overnight stays.
Industry executives will discuss the findings and their implications for destination planning and commercial investment.
The presentation will also be available through WTM TV and the event’s Trends Stage.
A further presentation is scheduled for Thursday, 5 November.
The findings could help tourism authorities and businesses identify emerging opportunities across international markets.
WTM London Strengthens Global Tourism Collaboration
Additional speakers include VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, British Airways Holidays Managing Director Andrew Flintham and Booking Holdings executive Rob Ransom.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara, ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer and traveller Sir Michael Palin also feature in the programme.
The new Headliner Stage forms part of WTM London’s partnership with Wanderlust, with Editor in Chief George Kipouros overseeing its programme.
Chris Carter-Chapman, WTM London Event Director, has emphasised the importance of bringing different industry perspectives together.
The expanded conference demonstrates how tourism leadership increasingly depends on cooperation between policymakers, businesses and destinations.
As WTM London 2026 approaches, the discussions will place sustainable growth, visitor experience and economic resilience at the forefront of international tourism planning.
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