Cancun

(Photo : Twitter/WTTC)

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) announced it will hold the annual Global Summit in Cancun, Mexico in April 2020 amid coronavirus outbreak. 

WTTC said they hope to host travel and tourism leaders from across the globe from April 21 to 23. 

The organization said it decided to move the travel and tourism summit from San Juan, Peurto Rico to Cancun, Mexico with Puerto Rico's best interest in mind. 

"WTTC remains strongly committed to supporting Puerto Rico's amazing comeback story as seen in their record-breaking year in tourism last year. Although the Island was ready to welcome us with open arms this April, despite the recent seismic activity in the southern region, reallocating resources to continue this great momentum is the right thing to do to further boost tourism," WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said. 

The entity said the switch to Cancun will allow them to focus on the opportunities and challenges that will contribute to the growth of tourism of Mexico, US regions, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Guevara also said financial resources will be allocated on campaigns that promote Puerto Rico's 'open for tourism' message with hopes it will drive more visitors to the island.

WTTC said they will hold a "major event" in San Juan sometime this year.

On Coronavirus Travel Ban

WTTC warned countries against closing borders and blanket travel bans, saying it won't stop the spread of COVID-19

Guevara, who was formerly Tourism Minister of Mexico, said she had first-hand experience of containing a major health threat after she dealt with the H1N1 influenza virus in Mexico. 

The CEO urged governments and authorities not to turn to "disproportionate measures" in hopes of controlling coronavirus. She cited her experience where extreme actions were proven ineffective in the containment of diseases.

Furthermore, she called for governments to look for fact-based measures that won't affect businesses that consider traveling essential. 

Guevarra also emphasized the value of staying calm, saying the fatality rate of the virus remains low. She said observing hygiene measures will lessen the chances of contracting the virus.

The council hopes the community will "join forces to get through this difficult time and support a response to the outbreak."

They also encourage public and private sectors to combat the spread of "erroneous" information about coronavirus and to urge their citizens to avoid unnecessary panic. 

What is the WTTC?

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council's website, WTTC is an organization that represents the travel and tourism private sector globally. 

The organization has over 200 members that are CEOs, Chairpersons, and Presidents of leading travel and tourism companies across the globe. 

WTTC aims to raise awareness about the 319 million jobs travel and tourism create worldwide. Travel and tourism also generate 10.4% of global gross domestic product (GDP), making it one of the world's largest economic sectors. 

Research conducted by the organization showed the economic impact of Travel and Tourism in 185 countries for the past 30 years. 

The sector outpaced the growth of the global economy (3.2%) by 0.7% for the eighth consecutive year in 2018. The sector also makes one in every five jobs. 

The WTTC Global Summit 2020 will take place in Cancun, Mexico from April 21 to April 23, 2020. The event is expected to have a range of CEOs and senior leaders speak from within the industry.