3rd World Tourism Forum Lucerne attracts record participation

The 3rd World Tourism Forum Lucerne closed in central Switzerland on 19 April, having attracted record participation of some 400 leaders from the international tourism industry and the fields of business, politics, science and finance. 

Lucerne, 19 April 2013 – Over the past three days top tourism industry leaders, emerging young talents and elite international students have teamed up to debate the changes and challenges facing the global travel and tourism sector. Taking part in the in-depth exchange of ideas and opinions were some 400 participants from no fewer than 64 countries, reflecting the increasing international acclaim of the WTFL.

In the words of Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels and Chairman of the Forum's international Advisory Board: "If the World Tourism Forum Lucerne didn't exist already – it would need to be invented. And as quickly as possible. The event offers the ideal environment for an in-depth exchange of views on important non-operative aspects of our business. In concentrating on the themes of sustainable tourism, talent management and new marketing, we succeeded in creating a highly attractive agenda for debate." 

This year's WTFL participants included tourism ministers and state secretaries from several of the world's leading tourism destination countries. Chairman Elhamy El-Zayat of the Egyptian Tourism Federation reflects on his actual situation: "For Egypt tourism remains a vital aspect of our economy – despite the political instability of the past. Currently we are registering some 11 percent more guests, although there are regional variations. Particularly popular are the tourism resorts on the Red Sea." 

WTFL General Manager Martin Bath commented: "The global tourism industry is expanding at a remarkable and rapid rate, and this is impacting available resources. In this respect collective international action at the highest level is essential." Barth is convinced that the exchange of views between different tourism-related sectors and across different generations is a key necessity. This year's Forum resulted in the setting up of specialized working groups, assigned to report back at the next Forum in 2015. 

Talent management was one of the key topics at the 2013 WTFL. In the words of Reto Wittwer: "Tourism needs to attract the best possible young talent. And this is something which CEOs simply cannot delegate – they themselves must show the way." 

-wtflucerne.org