By Tom McClimon
May 1, 2006

Mayors played an important role in the 6th Global Travel and Tourism Summit held April 10-12 in Washington (DC). Organized by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and co-hosted by the Travel Business Roundtable, of which the Conference of Mayors is a member, the Summit brought together over 800 CEOs of the world’s foremost travel and tourism companies, foreign Tourism Ministers, senior U.S. government officials and journalists from around the world.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann provided the keynote address for the session on “Destination Stories: Sharing Knowledge and Looking Ahead.” In his remarks to the audience, the mayor stated, “Tourism helps to provide a legacy for cities in that tourism means caring for people and our environment.” Hannemann further added that it was the role of government to provide incentives to help the private sector do its job in promoting travel and tourism. “Local governments can do this three ways – first, by ensuring that cities are safe places; second, by maintaining both the above and below ground infrastructure; and three – by promoting and maintaining its local arts and culture,” he said. The mayor urged increased funding for international destination marketing and called for expanding the visa waiver program.

Washington (DC) Mayor Anthony Williams welcomed the delegates to his city and talked about the importance that tourism plays. “Tourism is an important part of the economic engine of this city,” stated Williams.

This gathering marked the first time in its six-year Summit history that the WTTC has selected the United States as the site for its global gathering. The Summit’s agenda reflected issues surrounding travel and the far-reaching economic impact that the travel and tourism industry has on a wide range of business sectors. Speakers at the Summit included: Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Homeland Secretary Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Ambassador Karen Hughes, Loews Chairman Jonathan Tisch, and Minister of Tourism for Greece Fanny Palli-Petrallis.