Dusit Thani College Students Participate in the WTTC Global Summit 2026 in Malta 

From 7–9 October 2026, five students from Dusit Thani College were selected to attend the WTTC Global Summit 2026, a premier global tourism conference organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The event was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta. The students were among the first-ever batch of Youth Delegates in the WTTC Youth Movement, a new global initiative that gives future tourism leaders a direct voice alongside ministers and CEOs from across the industry. 

  Held under the theme “FUTU[RE]SET: Shaping the Future of Travel & Tourism”, the WTTC Global Summit is one of the most influential gatherings in the sector. This year it brought more than 200 global CEOs and executives, from companies including Hilton, IHG, Four Seasons, Trip.com and MSC Group, together with government leaders, former heads of state and international policymakers. 

Among the headline speakers was former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who joined WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara on stage. Drawing on his experience as a former G7 leader, he spoke about global leadership, economic uncertainty and international alliances, and about tourism’s power to bridge cultural and economic divides. 

Discussions centred on sustainable industry growth, destination stewardship, artificial intelligence and technology, workforce development, and investment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

Malta 2026 also served as the launch pad for the WTTC Youth Movement. The initiative aims to make Travel & Tourism a credible career path for young people and to build a two-way dialogue between industry and the generation that will lead it. Universities from every continent were invited to take part. 

  DTC’s delegation brought together students from two of the college’s international programs: Ms. Natthanicha Teera-atthawet and Ms. Kejmanee Kaewkhampholkul from the Hospitality Management International Program, and Ms. Runchana Thumthan, Ms. Kanthima Mongkolyong, and Mr. V Jer Lee from the Professional Culinary Arts International Program.  

In Malta, the DTC students joined 42 youth delegates from 13 countries, including Croatia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Greece, South Africa, Oman, Brazil, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Germany, Hungary, Ethiopia, and Thailand. discussing and brainstorming their research papers in mixed international groups. They joined “Executive Perspectives: Building Careers in Travel & Tourism”, a private side-event where five CEOs shared their career journeys and answered students’ questions. The delegation also attended the main Global Summit sessions in Republic Hall, from the Opening Ceremony to the Youth Special Session on stage, and networked with ministers, industry leaders and peers at the Summit’s receptions. A session on unlocking the power of travel and tourism SMEs left a particular mark, framing small local businesses as the heart of their destinations’ economies and cultures. 

“To be part of the first-ever batch of WTTC Youth Delegates, I was given a rare opportunity to listen and converse with the leaders shaping the future,” said Mr. V Jer Lee. “Meeting talented youth delegates from around the world was truly inspiring and empowering. It reminded me that hospitality is all about people, and what a great industry it is to be in.” 

Ms. Natthanicha Teera-atthawet said, “I arrived expecting to learn about the industry. I didn’t expect to leave rethinking who it is for,” she said. “Visas, budget, and circumstances decide who gets to see the world, and which places get seen. That’s why making tourism more accessible and affordable for everyone is worth working towards.” 

The Summit closed with the Malta Declaration, a youth-authored statement of commitments from WTTC and its members that carries the Movement beyond the three days. 

The opportunity reflects DTC’s ongoing commitment to giving students international exposure and real-world industry connections that extend far beyond the classroom.