Tourism ministers from Angola, Belize, Portugal, Guatemala, Jamaica, Uruguay, and Montenegro have joined the speaker lineup for WTM London 2026, adding to a growing list of high-profile participants at the Wanderlust Headliner stage.
Ministerial Sessions Focus on Sustainability and Resilience
Sustainability and resilience are central themes across several ministerial sessions, with leaders set to share strategies for making tourism more beneficial for communities and destinations. Pedro Machado, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Tourism, will present insights from the country’s new Tourism Strategy 2035, which emphasizes inclusive and resilient growth. On November 5, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, will participate in a session titled “Built to Last: Destination Resilience in an Uncertain World,” alongside tourism officials from Uganda, Armenia, Cambodia, and Valencia.
The resilience theme reflects ongoing challenges faced by destinations worldwide. The November 5 session will explore how countries prepare for and recover from crises, offering practical insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Business Leaders Address Innovation and Local Connections
On the business front, Matt Long, EMEA Managing Director for Delta Air Lines, and Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, will speak about innovations in aviation and package holidays. Benoît Racle, Global Brand President of Premium Brands at Accor, will focus on enhancing guest experiences in hospitality. Intrepid CEO James Thornton and WeRoad co-founder Fabio Bin will examine how younger travelers are increasingly seeking authentic connections with local communities.
The stage is hosted and curated by Wanderlust Magazine, the UK’s leading travel publication, with sessions chaired by its Editor in Chief, George Kipouros. The newly confirmed speakers join an already distinguished lineup that includes Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, and Sir Michael Palin, renowned actor and traveler.
Global Travel Report to Debut at Opening Day Event
On November 3, the Wanderlust Headliner Stage will host the unveiling of the WTM Global Travel Report, produced in partnership with Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. The report tracks evolving traveler behavior and identifies key trends for the upcoming year. Following the presentation of findings, a panel of industry CEOs and leaders will discuss implications, with the session also streamed on WTM TV and featured on the Trends Stage within WTM TrendFest.
Chris Carter-Chapman, WTM London Event Director, noted that this year’s sessions across all four stages are organized around the theme “Resilience, Rebound & Reinvention: The next era of global travel.” He emphasized that the event aims to bring together global leaders and new voices to address major opportunities and challenges in the travel sector. The full agenda for the Wanderlust Headliner Stage is available online.