Industry Leaders Urge Public-Private Tourism Partnerships
At the inaugural WTM London Leaders' Summit, officials from Ras Al Khaimah, Egypt, and Mexico's Jalisco outlined how infrastructure, community engagement, and long-term planning shape tourism strategy.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Travel — General
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Industry leaders called for stronger public-private partnerships at the inaugural WTM London Leaders' Summit held during the exhibition. Spain was also named WTM London 2026's inaugural official accessibility partner.
Why it matters
The summit points to a shared view among destinations that tourism growth depends on coordinated investment between governments and private industry. Accessibility commitments signal a growing focus on serving a wider range of travelers.
Ras Al Khaimah reports tourism at 5 percent of GDP and targets 20 to 30 percent within five to ten years, while Egypt has invested the equivalent of 20 percent of GDP in infrastructure in recent years. Neither the source projections nor the funding mechanisms behind them are detailed in the available data.
The players
Gloria Guevara
Gloria Guevara is President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which has outlined seven principles for attracting tourism investment.
The details
Representatives from Ras Al Khaimah, Egypt, and Jalisco outlined how infrastructure investment, community engagement, and long-term planning shape their tourism strategies. Egypt's We Are Egypt campaign aims to engage local communities, while Ras Al Khaimah's tourism masterplan extends to 2040.
Timeline
Spain For All initiative launched in 2024.
Spain, a Country for All campaign introduced on the exhibition's opening day.
Egypt expects tourism arrivals to grow about 5 percent in 2026.
Ras Al Khaimah's tourism masterplan horizon runs to 2040.
Travel Outlook
The WTTC's seven principles for attracting tourism investment provide a framework that Ras Al Khaimah, Egypt, and Jalisco each applied to their own national and regional plans at the summit. Destination strategies that pair infrastructure spending with community engagement reflect that framework's emphasis on coordinated investment.
Travelers planning trips to destinations promoting accessibility initiatives, such as Spain's campaign, may find expanded services and information for visitors with diverse needs. Destinations investing in infrastructure and community programs may gradually change the visitor experience at popular locations.
The takeaway
Destinations that combine infrastructure investment with local community engagement and accessibility commitments appear to be the approach gaining traction among tourism leaders. Travelers may notice these priorities reflected in future destination campaigns.
Further reading
Explore more on Travel — General to see how destinations are approaching tourism investment and accessibility.
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Do you think tourism is improving life for people in your community?
