Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will headline the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2026 Global Summit in Malta next month.
Trudeau will join more than 1,000 delegates from over 100 countries at the summit, which will take place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta from 7–9 October.
More than 200 travel and tourism CEOs, senior executives and government leaders are expected to attend the three-day event.
Held under the theme FUTU[RE]SET, this year’s summit will focus on the forces reshaping global tourism and how the sector can respond through innovation, investment and collaboration.
Trudeau, who led Canada from 2015 to 2025, is expected to bring his experience leading a G7 nation to discussions around global leadership, resilience and cooperation.
The agenda will tackle geopolitical change and its impact on travel, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, aviation and connectivity, investment, destination development and changing traveller expectations.
Tourism investment tops $1 trillion
The summit comes as WTTC data shows global travel and tourism investment exceeded US$1 trillion in 2025, up 8.5 per cent year-on-year.
The sector contributed a record US$11.6 trillion to global GDP, according to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research.
WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara said Trudeau’s appearance would add another major voice to the summit.
“We are delighted to welcome the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau to Malta alongside more than 200 of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders,” Guevara said.
“His participation adds another powerful voice to a Summit that will bring together an extraordinary concentration of global leadership to discuss the future of our sector.”
Senior government representatives will also attend, including Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Ian Borg and Minister for Tourism Jo Etienne Abela.
Malta was selected to host the 2026 summit following expressions of interest from 21 destinations.
Malta Tourism Authority CEO Carlo Micallef said hosting the event was an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s longer-term ambitions for tourism.
“Our focus is firmly on quality, to deliver better visitor experiences and creating long-term value, whilst protecting our communities, heritage and identity,” Micallef said.
“The Summit will also create important opportunities for new partnerships, investment and innovation.”
Malta Tourism Authority chairman Charles Mangion said the FUTU[RE]SET theme reflected the need for destinations to reconsider how tourism growth is measured.
“As an island destination, Malta understands the importance of balancing growth with quality and sustainability,” he said.
“Hosting this Summit gives us a unique opportunity to bring together global leaders, ideas and partnerships that can help create greater value for our communities and future generations.”
The WTTC Global Summit is heading to Malta. Here’s why your clients should too
