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About World Tourism Forum

An institution created to convene the tourism world.

Independent in outlook, international in reach and focused on the decisions that shape destinations.

Built around one enduring idea: progress begins with the right people in the room.

World Tourism Forum was founded in Istanbul as a collaboration platform for the opportunities and challenges facing travel and the visitor economy. Its meetings brought heads of state, ministers, city leaders, investors, operators, airlines, technology companies and international media into a shared conversation.

The Forum's role was not simply to stage conferences. It created settings where destinations could present their ambitions, leaders could exchange policy and business could understand emerging markets.

Founded in Istanbul

The platform began with a mandate to connect tourism leadership across public and private sectors.

First global meeting

The inaugural Istanbul meeting established the Forum's international programme.

A wider leadership platform

Global and Mediterranean meetings expanded participation from governments and international business.

Across regions

Global Meeting, Africa Summit, Russia Summit and awards programmes extended the Forum's footprint.

A permanent institutional record

The platform's recovered archive is preserved with clear distinction between convened events and historical announcements.

What we stand for

Institutional credibility, global access, practical outcomes.

The Forum connects ideas to the institutions and enterprises capable of carrying them forward.

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Independence

A platform able to bring different markets and perspectives to one table.

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Convening power

Relationships across public leadership, capital, destinations and operators.

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Long-term value

Dialogue designed to outlast the event and support meaningful cooperation.

Explore the people and meetings behind the institution.

View forum archive→

Institutional record

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