WTTC launches 'Together in Travel' to empower SMEs in global tourism industry
SMEs form the backbone of the global tourism industry, making up nearly 80 per cent of the sector. With millions of small businesses driving innovation and delivering unique services to travellers, the Together in Travel platform aims to amplify their voices and help them thrive in an increasingly competitive market. The free-to-subscribe platform offers SMEs access to a range of valuable content, networking opportunities, and educational programs to strengthen their businesses.
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SMEs form the backbone of the global tourism industry, making up nearly 80 per cent of the sector. With millions of small businesses driving innovation and delivering unique services to travellers, the Together in Travel platform aims to amplify their voices and help them thrive in an increasingly competitive market. The free-to-subscribe platform offers SMEs access to a range of valuable content, networking opportunities, and educational programs to strengthen their businesses.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new global initiative called 'Together in Travel' at its 2024 Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia. The initiative is designed to support and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the Travel & Tourism sector, providing them with essential tools, resources, and opportunities to foster sustainable growth and innovation.
SMEs form the backbone of the global tourism industry, making up nearly 80 per cent of the sector. With millions of small businesses driving innovation and delivering unique services to travellers, the Together in Travel platform aims to amplify their voices and help them thrive in an increasingly competitive market. The free-to-subscribe platform offers SMEs access to a range of valuable content, networking opportunities, and educational programs to strengthen their businesses.
Next year, Together in Travel will introduce paid subscriber options that will offer enhanced benefits, including additional resources and support to further empower SMEs as they navigate the challenges and opportunities within the travel sector.
WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson highlighted the importance of SMEs in her address at the summit: “SMEs are a cornerstone of the Travel & Tourism sector, providing personalized services, driving innovation, and contributing local knowledge. With Together in Travel, for the first time, these enterprises will have access to a global community where they can share ideas and access tools that will help accelerate their growth.”
The WTTC projects that 2024 will be a record-breaking year for the travel sector, with a global economic contribution expected to reach an all-time high of USD 11.1 trillion. Initiatives like Together in Travel are critical to ensuring that SMEs continue to play a key role in this growth by fostering entrepreneurship and resilience within the sector.
Matthew Upchurch, Vice Chair of Membership at WTTC and Chairman & CEO of Virtuoso, commented on the importance of the initiative: “The launch of the Together in Travel community is a significant milestone in WTTC's mission to advocate for SMEs. As the travel sector continues to recover from the pandemic, these businesses need a support system that helps them navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
”Ryan Mossny, Co-Founder of Matagarup Zip+Climb, echoed the positive impact of the new platform: “As a small business, it can be difficult to access the resources and industry connections needed to thrive. WTTC’s new initiative has come at a perfect time, offering tailored support to help us address problem areas and grow in an increasingly competitive market.”
