Cancun, Mexico - The Americas Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) will be hosted by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism in Cancun on May 16th through the 18th. The event will be the first in a series of WTTC's "Regional Summits."

Tourism leaders from across the western Hemisphere will gather at the Americas Summit to explore and debate a wide range of global travel and tourism issues, while identifying opportunities for growth and collaboration in a unique networking forum.

David Scowsill, President and CEO of the WTTC said that Mexico is the perfect host for the inaugural Regional Summit. "Mexico leads the way in recognizing the enormous contribution travel and tourism makes to it's economy, employment, and export," he said.

Mexico will also host the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) T20 meeting of Tourism Ministers in Merida on May 15th and 16th, as well as this years annual G-20 Summit in Los Cabos this June.

David Scowsill, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council

“President Calderón’s commitment to tourism is underlined by being the first to join the WTTC and UNWTO's joint Global Leaders for Tourism campaign, which recognizes the importance of tourism to growth and development," said Scowsill. “Holding the Americas Summit in Mexico just a month before the G20 meeting of world leaders will place tourism among the most important topics being discussed in Los Cabos."

The summit will attract delegates from across the Americas, including Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and North America and speakers will include ministers of tourism from around the world including: Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara Manzo; United States Deputy Secretary of State, Thomas Nides; Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization; executives from hotels, airlines, tour operators and travel agencies; and key opinion leaders from the media such as CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg.

“We are honored that Mexico was selected to host the very first WTTC Regional Summit and look forward to creating synergies and opportunities through the interaction and discussions among the leaders that will attend the most important forum of an industry," Guevara Manzo stated.

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the industry, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. In 2011 Travel & Tourism accounted for 255 million jobs globally. At $6.3 trillion, the sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth. For more than 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents, and Chief Executives of the world's leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. These Members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of prosperity.