WTTC 2009 in Florianópolis

We're happy to announce that this year's World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will take place in "our" city Florianópolis from May 15th-16th.

You're a journalist, a travel writer, or you simply want to spread the word about this wonderful island? Please do get in touch with us. We're an incoming tour operator based in Florianópolis and would like to show you our favourite spots, locations and activtities in the region.

"We are delighted to enter this agreement which brings together WTTC, the Government of Santa Catarina and Embratur – the national tourism organisation of Brazil – in a strategic partnership to enhance the role of Travel & Tourism in developing sustainable economies and prosperous local communities," said the Governor of Santa Catarina, Luiz Henrique da Silveira.

"Brazil is not only one of the world's fastest growing tourism source markets, whose international tourism expenditure is up 58% so far in 2008," added Jeanine Pires, Head of Embratur, Brazil, "but it has also recorded double-digit percentage growth in international tourism receipts (visitor exports excluding transport) for the past four years. And the trend is set to continue with receipts up more than 18% in the first half of 2008."

Located in Southern Brazil, Santa Catarina is acclaimed for its outstanding natural beauty – it accounts for 50% of the remaining Atlantic Forest, for example. The national and regional governments' commitment to the conservation of the natural environment and local culture of Santa Catarina was one of the key factors considered by WTTC's Board who agreed, by unanimous vote, on the destination as the host of the 2009 Global Travel & Tourism Summit.

"In these challenging economic times," said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC, "when it is almost impossible to predict short-term trends – let alone make long-term forecasts – it is more critical than ever for the public and private sectors to forge close partnerships so they can work together to ensure the longer-term prosperity of Travel & Tourism.