RIYADH: The 22nd World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, one of the most influential events in the travel and tourism industries, will take place in Riyadh from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. The summit will virtually bring together industry leaders with key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s recovery and transition to a more secure and resilient future.   The theme for this year, “Travel for a Better Future,” aims to tackle social, environmental and economic challenges and foster sustainability, inclusive growth and shared prosperity. Several officials in the Kingdom are set to attend, the Saudi Press Agency reported. These will include Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail and Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed.  “The Kingdom will witness the holding of the World Summit in conjunction with the entry of the tourism sector into a new era of prosperity,” Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said.  “The summit will bring together leaders and pioneers of the sector from the public and private sectors in the world, which will enhance its essential role in advancing the sector’s future and development. “There is no doubt that our ambitious goals in the areas of investment, sustainability and the travel experience can be achieved through cooperation between countries of the world, and they will learn about the opportunities…in this sector, especially since Riyadh is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world.” The summit also boasts an elite group of participants such as World Travel and Tourism Council President Julia Simpson, Carnival Corp. Director Arnold Donald, Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths, Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta, Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch and Diriyah Gate Development Authority CEO Jerry Inzerillo.  “We extend our sincere thanks to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has made effective efforts in the recovery of the global tourism and travel sector after two years of the pandemic, and we are pleased to meet this elite (group) of distinguished specialists at the World Summit this year in Riyadh,” Simpson said.  “The travel and tourism sector in the Kingdom is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels next year, as it is expected to record the fastest growth rate in the Middle East region over the next decade,” she added. A number of senior travel and tourism officials from Portugal, Barbados, Bahrain, Austria and South Africa will also attend the summit.