EDITOR’S
LETTER
Hanni Tran,
Editor-in-Chief of The World Magazine
At a moment when the global order is being reshaped by
uncertainty, fragmentation, and rapid transformation, tourism
is quietly redefining its role. No longer confined to leisure or
hospitality alone, tourism has emerged as a strategic force—
intersecting diplomacy, economic resilience, sustainability, and
human connection. This Davos Special Issue of World Magazine is
dedicated to that shift.
Davos has long symbolized global dialogue at the highest level—a
place where ideas, leadership, capital, and responsibility converge.
In this context, tourism’s voice is no longer peripheral. It is central.
The leaders featured in this issue reflect that reality.
From H.E. Zandanshatar Gombojav, Prime Minister of Mongolia,
we see how tourism diplomacy can anchor economic freedom,
diversification, and international trust—transforming authenticity,
openness, and reform into strategic advantage.
From Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the
Republic of Angola, tourism is framed as an engine of employment,
peace, and regional stability for a young and fast-growing Africa.
These are not aspirational narratives; they are policy-driven
strategies grounded in urgency and realism.
This issue also explores how established destinations are redefining
responsibility and value. Prof. Alessandra Priante, President of
ENIT, challenges the global tourism community to move beyond
heritage as a static asset and toward tourism as a living, community-
driven narrative. Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, positions
the meetings industry as a cornerstone of the global knowledge
economy—where ideas, innovation, and diplomacy are forged
through intentional human gathering.
Tourism’s human dimension is powerfully articulated by Hon. Dr.
Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, who reminds
us that tourism is, at its core, human diplomacy—capable of
sustaining communities through crisis and reinforcing resilience
beyond formal statecraft. Complementing this perspective, H.E.
Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the
Organization of Turkic States, illustrates how shared identity,
culture, and connectivity across the Turkic world translate tourism
into soft power and long-term regional cooperation.
Investment and transformation emerge as defining themes. Meshari
Alnahari, CEO of Aseer Investment Company, reframes tourism
development in Saudi Arabia not as destination building, but as
experience creation—anchored in trust, long-term commitment,
and partnership. Gregory Rusland, Vice President of the Republic
of Suriname, offers a compelling counter-model to volume-driven
growth, demonstrating how carbon-negative stewardship, cultural
harmony, and policy restraint can become a nation’s strategic
advantage.
Sustainability, throughout this issue, is no longer treated as an
aspiration or moral add-on. Christopher Kiessling, President of
Loro Parque Foundation, makes the case that conservation-centered
tourism is an operational necessity. Randy Durband, CEO of the
Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance, is unequivocal: sustainability
is not a trend—it is the market. Nicole Monge, Senior Director at
APCO, reframes the debate entirely, positioning sustainability not
as restriction, but as opportunity, redesign, and economic resilience.
Taken together, these perspectives point to a clear conclusion:
tourism has entered a decisive era. It is now a platform for diplomacy
without rhetoric, for growth with accountability, for investment
with purpose, and for sustainability that delivers measurable value.
The future of tourism will not be defined by volume alone, but by
quality, credibility, and long-term impact.
This special issue is offered as a contribution to global dialogue—
bringing together heads of state, ministers, institutional leaders,
investors, and industry pioneers who are not merely responding to
change, but actively shaping it.
Tourism is no longer asking for a seat at the table.
It is helping to define the direction forward.