Dr Abbie-Gayle Johnson joins global panel on the Future of Travel and Tourism at the World Travel Market 2025

Exploring opportunities and challenges for sustainable growth in the Global South

On Tuesday, 4 November 2025, Dr Abbie-Gayle Johnson, from the Sustainable Travel and Tourism Advanced Research Centre and Assistant Professor in Marketing at Nottingham University Business School, represented the Caribbean perspective at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London. WTM, established in 1980, is one of the world’s leading events for the travel and tourism industry, bringing together global experts to share insights and shape the future of destinations and businesses.

Dr Johnson contributed to the panel discussion “The Global South and the Future of Travel and Tourism”, alongside Adama Bah (Institute of Travel and Tourism, The Gambia) and Mohammed Alshabaili (Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Program). The session was moderated by BBC journalist Carmen Roberts.

The panel explored the projected growth of tourism markets in the Global South by 2030, driven by an expanding middle class in regions such as Asia and Africa. Dr Johnson highlighted the rise of Black travel globally and the increasing engagement of diasporas in Caribbean tourism. She also addressed the challenges and opportunities for inclusive growth in the region, including climate change, economic inequality, and sustainable development.

The discussion was particularly timely following Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck Jamaica just days before the event, highlighting the urgency of climate resilience. Dr Johnson emphasised the need for destinations to remain agile and adaptable amid ongoing uncertainties.

Outcomes

Key recommendations included:

• innovative data collection for informed decision-making
• collaborative approaches that benefit local communities
• digital inclusion strategies tailored to destination-specific challenges

As the industry looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, these insights will help shape pathways for sustainable and inclusive tourism growth.

Further information

For more information, please read the articles in the links below:

Breaking Travel News (2025) - WTM London puts spotlight on sustainability investments and growth for first day

Travelling for Business (2025) - WTM London Opens with Focus on Sustainability, Investment and Global Growth