Brevity is king at WTTC’s 2013 Global Summit

ABU DHABI (eTN) – The first day of this year’s edition of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Global Summit has come and gone, but the words uttered by some of the most influential names in the busin

ABU DHABI (eTN) – The first day of this year’s edition of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Global Summit has come and gone, but the words uttered by some of the most influential names in the business during their respective times at the podium have left an indelible mark. Luckily for delegates this year, these travel and tourism luminaries, including high-ranking chief executives, experts, and even a former United States president, kept their speeches simple and short. Well, with the exception of former US President Bill Clinton, of course.

Below are the highlights:

HE Mubarak Al Muhairi (Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority): This region has a proud history of hospitality. Work together to improve quality of life. In the next few days we want to show positive cultural experiences. We invite you to experience our home. Welcome to the home of hospitality.

James Hogan (President & CEO, Etihad Airways): Make money.

Taleb Rifai (Secretary-General, UN World Tourism Organization): Tourism can and must play a role in our shared efforts to build a more sustainable world.

David Scowsill (President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council): Japan recovered more quickly than anticipated. Travel and tourism’s reliance is shown yet again. The travel and tourism industry outperformed many other industries. For the first time, 1 in 11 jobs is supported by the travel and tourism industry. Governments must stop taxing tourists. We will continue to help reduce the tax burden.

Professor Ian Goldin (Director, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford): This is the best time to be alive.

Dr. Daniel Stelter (Senior Partner & Managing Director, The Boston Consulting Group GmbH): Shape your own destiny.

Jonathon Porritt (Director, Founder, and Trustee, Forum for the Future): There is no other industry in the world that can do good other than the travel and tourism industry.

Sandy Douglas (Global Chief Customer Officer, The Coca-Cola Company): The future of computing – you become the computer.

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Nell Alcantara

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