TravTalk India Online Magazine
Italian Prime Minister H.E. Giorgia Meloni set the tone at the 25th WTTC Global Summit, declaring tourism as central to Italy’s identity and economic strength. She welcomed delegates to Rome with a strong message that her government is investing in quality, innovation, and infrastructure to position Italy as the ultimate global destination.
Addressing the 25th Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Meloni described tourism as “one of the most powerful tools through which the Italian people speak to the world about their identity.” Welcoming global leaders to Rome for the first WTTC Summit hosted in Italy, she underlined her government’s commitment to strengthening a sector that contributes 13 per cent of the nation’s GDP.
In her keynote, Meloni positioned tourism not only as a driver of jobs and investment but as a showcase of Italian values, lifestyle, and culture. She outlined the reforms her government has introduced since the pandemic recovery period, from tax-free tips and training support for workers to regulation of fake online reviews and investment in small and medium enterprises. Infrastructure upgrades, digitalisation of services, and incentives for seasonality management have also been priorities.
The Prime Minister highlighted plans to spread tourism across lesser-known villages, mountain regions, and cultural routes while leveraging major global events such as the Jubilee, Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, Mediterranean Games, and the 2032 European Football Championships. “We chose to invest in tourism as one of the main drivers of our growth and global standing,” she said.
Meloni emphasised Italy’s global leadership in rail tourism, growing dynamism in cruise and wellness offerings, and the role of entrepreneurs in driving innovation. Italy today ranks first in Europe for regional tourism competitiveness, second in Europe for arrivals, and fifth globally with nearly 58 million international visitors.
“These numbers make us proud, but they are still not enough. We aim to be the masterpiece—the privileged destination for all those who seek a dream, between history and imagination, between antiquity and the future,” Meloni concluded.
