World Travel and Tourism Council president and chief executive David Scowsill closed the WTTC Summit with a warning that “we are at a tipping point”.
He made a plea to members to “ensure the highest standards” despite governments failing to recognise the industry’s contribution to economic growth.
Scowsill told delegates: “There are huge opportunities for more prosperity but also huge challenges. These are not unique to the travel industry, but we must address them.
“Last year one billion people crossed international borders. By 2030 there are likely to be one billion middle-class consumers in China alone.
“There is no conceivable way the existing plans for infrastructure will be able to accommodate these numbers.”
He said: “We are reaching a tipping point. There is a vacuum in global leadership. We in the travel and tourism industry cannot hope that someone else will come along and solve the problems. Sooner or later these will become a barrier to growth.
“We need to operate to the highest standards and demonstrate we are a force for good, embrace the ethos of Tourism for Tomorrow and continue the work of elevating our cause among governments.”
Scowsill argued: “Governments do not always recognise our contribution. But we have earned our right to be heard at the highest level.
“As an industry we have a role to play, we have a responsibility for billions of travellers, for the careful preservation of resources, for the provision of millions of quality jobs and for satisfying investors.
“If we can take care of all this we really will become the world’s greatest industry.”