Global Tourism Forum Brussels 2025 unveils first wave of heads of state, ministers, and industry leaders

Dateline: Brussels & Dubai — 1 September 2025
Venue: Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium (Brussels)
Dates: 19–21 October 2025

The World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) today announced the first confirmed protocol and speaker roster for the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025 (GTF Brussels 2025), taking place 19–21 October 2025 at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels. Widely recognized as the “Davos of the Tourism Industry,” the Global Tourism Forum brings together C-suite leaders and high-level government representatives each year at its Annual Meeting. The line-up features a head of state, secretaries-general of leading international organizations, national tourism chiefs, and top executives across aviation, hospitality, investment, and technology—underscoring GTF’s role as a premier platform for global tourism and travel investment.

Event Schedule

Welcome Dinner: 19 October 2025
Opening Ceremony: 20 October 2025
World Tourism Awards: 20 October 2025, 20:00
Closing Ceremony: 21 October 2025

“This year’s programme will focus on tourism investment, aviation futures, and destination competitiveness,” said Bulut Bağcı, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute. “Bringing together heads of state, ministers, and C-suite leaders in Brussels will accelerate practical partnerships and capital flows into destinations worldwide.”

Featured confirmations to date

Head of State

E. Félix Tshisekedi — President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

United Nations & International Secretaries-General

Shaikha Al Nowais — Secretary-General, UN Tourism
Kuban Omuraliev — Secretary-General, Organization of Turkic States

Regional / International Organization Leaders

Apostolos Tzitzikostas — EU Commissioner for Tourism & Transport (confirmation pending)
Eduardo Pedrosa — Executive Director, APEC Secretariat
Shamsah Fatima Dhala — Global Manager (Tourism Retail & Property), IFC – World Bank Group

Government Ministers / State Officials

Hannatu Musa Musawa — Minister of Tourism & Culture, Nigeria
David Collado Morales — Minister of Tourism, Dominican Republic
Abla Dzifa Gomashie — Minister for Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Ghana
Marcio de Jesus Lopez — Minister of Tourism, Angola
Fredson Bacar — Secretary of State of Tourism, Mozambique

Royal Family

H. Mana Al-Maktoum — UAE Royal Family

National Tourism Authorities / CEOs

Eduardo Santander — CEO, European Travel Commission
Angela Gerekou — President, Greek National Tourism Organization
Arnar Már Ólafsson — Director-General, Icelandic Tourist Board
Susanne Andersson — CEO, Visit Sweden
Sabine Wendt — CEO, Visit Berlin
Martina Bienenfeld — CEO, Zagreb Tourist Board
Anouk van Vekkelen — Netherlands Board of Tourism
Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi — CEO, Visit Qatar
Fuad Naghiyev — Chairman, State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan

Former Ministers / Former International Officials

Dimitris Avramopoulos — Former European Commissioner
José Ramón Bauzá Díaz — Former President of the Balearic Islands; Member of the European Parliament
Abulfas Garayev — Former Minister of Culture & Tourism (2006–2018), Azerbaijan
Michael B. Christides — Former Secretary-General (2015–2021), BSEC
Najib Balala — Former Minister of Tourism & Wildlife, Kenya
E. Hugues Mbadinga Madiya — Former Minister of Investment Promotion, PPP & Business Climate, Gabon

Private-Sector Leaders & Investors

Jean-Jacques Morin — Group Deputy CEO, Accor
Paul Griffiths — CEO, Dubai Airports
Mohammed Ovais — Head of Aviation & Security, Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia)
Donal Handley — Head of Government Affairs & Sustainability, AerCap
Tânia Cardoso Simões — Director, Aviation Transformation, EUROCONTROL
Abid Butt — Group CEO, Assets Group
Alexander Schneider — COO, Sani/Ikos Group
Jeremy Jauncey — Founder & CEO, Beautiful Destinations
Justin Reid — Senior Director (Media, Destinations, Hotels & Growth), Tripadvisor
Hala Matar Choufany — President, HVS Middle East, Africa & South Asia
Salman Gasim — CEO, Swiss Hospitality Company; Vice President, Saudi European Central Western Business Council
Senthil Gopinath — CEO, ICCA
Martin Boyle — CEO, AIPCO
Sissi Lignou — President, AIPCO
Wael Joujou — Founder & CEO, V-Marine
Dagon Ronen — Chairman, Compass & Resonai
José Carlos Díez Gangas — Economist
Ylka Reiss — VP, Strategic Alliances, iD Tech
Emil Alon — CTO, Resonai
Mohammad Siam — CEO, Office Al Maktoum
Luca Zambello — CEO, Jurny
Mahmood Abdulla — LinkedIn Global Emirati Voice (Influencer)
Weynand Kuijpers — Co-Founder & CTO, Skipr Technologies
Liam Benham — President, EU/NATO & Government Affairs Europe, Boeing
Olivier Granet — Managing Partner & Co-CEO, Kasada Capital Management
Max Rangeley — Founder & CEO, ReboundTAG

Additional names will be announced as further confirmations are received.

About the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting

The Global Tourism Forum is WTFI’s flagship platform convening heads of state, ministers, CEOs, investors, and innovators to accelerate sustainable growth and investment across travel and tourism. Recognized as the “Davos of the Tourism Industry,” GTF annually convenes C-suite leaders and high-level government representatives at its Annual Meeting to catalyze partnerships and investment. The 2025 edition in Brussels will showcase destination case studies, investment opportunities, and cross-border partnerships designed to unlock new value for communities and economies.

Media & Accreditation
For media accreditation and delegate passes, please visit globaltourismforum.org/purchase-pass.
Press enquiries: Communications Office, World Tourism Forum Institute — info@worldtourismforum.net
Event web page: www.globaltourismforum.org
Official institute website: www.worldtourismforum.net

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World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI)
WTFI is a global organization advancing sustainable tourism development and investment through high-level convenings, research, and partnerships with governments and industry.
Learn more at www.worldtourismforum.net.