Within the business travel segment, Italy already holds a prominent position: corporate travelers spent USD 30.8 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 18.1% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Adding further strength to this recovery, Italy’s MICE industry (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) hosted nearly 370,000 events in 2024, achieving year-on-year growth of 8.2%. These figures underline the country’s renewed dynamism in corporate and international events markets—areas where new investments are expected to reinforce Italian leadership.
Interim WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara described the announcement as “a vote of confidence for Italy,” emphasizing that the more than USD 8 billion pledged sends a clear signal that Italy is not only a cultural icon but also a resilient investment destination. According to Guevara, these investments will generate jobs, foster innovation, and advance sustainability across the country.
WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre stressed that the commitments will not only improve infrastructure but also promote a more resilient and innovative future for Italian tourism, enabling Italy to remain both a preferred destination and a driver of economic development.
This announcement is no coincidence but rather the result of Italy’s strengthened tourism industry after recent global challenges. International investments are expected to multiply positive effects: greater air and digital connectivity, renewal of accommodation facilities, a stronger focus on sustainability, and increased access to both domestic and international capital. Italy is reaffirming its appeal as a leisure destination while positioning itself as a strategic hub for investment in innovation and responsible tourism.
The WTTC Global Summit was organized in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT (the national tourism board), the Municipality of Rome, and the Lazio Region, among other institutional partners.
The event brought together key players from the global tourism sector, investors, government agencies, and private sector representatives, ensuring the announcement had immediate international resonance.
With this injection of committed capital, Italy reinforces its dual role: a privileged stage of heritage, culture, and landscape, and a leading player in strategic and sustainable investment for the future of global tourism. If these resources are implemented effectively, the country faces a golden opportunity to renew its offerings, capture new markets, and remain competitive against emerging destinations. The true challenge, however, will be to turn promises into results: transparency, execution, public-private coordination, and long-term vision will be essential for this ambitious commitment to go beyond announcements and consolidate a new cycle of growth for Italian tourism.
