Mr Kofi A. Annan, founding chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation and Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1997-2006 will provide the keynote address at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, which will take place in Sanya on the island of Hainan, China, on 24-25 April.

In 2001, Mr Annan and the United Nations were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. Kofi Annan was praised for being "pre-eminent in bringing new life to the organization" (Norwegian Nobel Committee, October 2001). Since leaving the United Nations, Kofi Annan has been active pressing for policies that will meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly in Africa. He continues to use his experience to mediate and resolve conflict.

Joining Mr Annan on the speakers' platform will be more than forty other leading figures from the worlds of business, sport and Travel & Tourism.

The 14th Global Summit in Hainan Province, China, will explore 'Changing world, new perspectives'. Public and private sector leaders from outside and inside the industry will examine historical perspectives and their relevance for the future. They will look at Travel & Tourism from a new angle and seek to develop a new industry proposition that goes beyond the economic agenda, identifying how businesses can benefit from this new way of thinking.

"When tourism is married with sustainable and environmentally friendly policies, it has the potential to not just transform the economic prospects of a society for the better, but be a fundamental force for equitable and positive change in many areas", Mr. Annan said.

David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC said: "We are honoured to be joined by Kofi Annan at the WTTC Global Summit in Hainan, China, this April. His perspective on bringing peace to some of the world's most unstable regions will be invaluable to us and echo the ambition of the Global Summit - to look beyond the economic contribution of our industry to its role as a force for social good around the world."

About WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.

Anja Eckervogt
Communications Executive
+44 (0) 20 7481 6484
WTTC