The Global Tourism Forum (GTF), the flagship platform of the World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI), will convene an elite group of international leaders on 20 January 2026 in Davos, running in parallel with the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. The gathering, titled “The Power of 40,” will unite a strictly limited delegation of forty global decision-makers for high-level discussions on the future of tourism as a strategic economic pillar.
Held at Euronews House in Davos, the event aims to elevate tourism’s position in the global policy agenda by bringing together heads of state, ministers, CEOs of major corporations, sovereign wealth fund executives, investors, and influential voices shaping global markets.
A Strategic Move to Position Tourism at the Center of Global Dialogue
According to the organizers, limiting participation to only 40 delegates is a deliberate strategy designed to foster deeper dialogue, meaningful deal-making, and sharper policy focus.
“Tourism is no longer a secondary sector — it is a core driver of global economic resilience, investment flows, and international cooperation,” said Bulut Bağcı, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute. “By convening the world’s most influential leaders in an intimate setting during Davos, we are ensuring tourism has a decisive voice where global priorities are shaped.”
The program will feature closed-door discussions on strategic themes including sustainable destination development, global mobility, digital transformation, aviation resilience, capital investment, and tourism’s evolving geopolitical role.
Tourism Enters the Executive Agenda
As global travel rebounds and investment in tourism infrastructure climbs worldwide, GTF Davos 2026 aims to position the sector alongside key economic domains traditionally discussed in Davos — such as energy, finance, technology, and sustainability.
“Tourism accounts for more than 10% of global GDP, yet the industry’s strategic influence has historically been underrepresented at top-tier policy gatherings,” Bağcı added. “GTF Davos 2026 closes this gap by bringing tourism leaders into the same orbit as the world’s most powerful economic and political actors.”
Exclusive Format, High-Level Outcomes
The Power of 40 format is designed to encourage precision, efficiency, and concrete outcomes rather than broad networking. Confidential bilateral meetings, investment matchmaking sessions, and focused roundtables will define the structure of the forum.
Delegates are expected to include global tourism ministers, multinational hospitality executives, infrastructure investors, technology innovators, and representatives of international organizations.
A Defining Moment for Global Tourism
GTF Davos 2026 marks the first time that a tourism-focused strategic forum will be held simultaneously with the World Economic Forum, signaling a new era where tourism is recognized not only as an economic force but as a diplomatic and developmental driver.
World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI)
Email: info@worldtourismforum.net
Website: www.worldtourismforum.net
