HEADLINERS INCLUDE TRACEE ELLIS ROSS AND SELMA BLAIR, WITH TOP INDUSTRY LEADERS EXPLORING TRAVEL TRENDS

NEW YORK, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Travel + Leisure will host its second annual World’s Best Summit on July 15-16, 2025 in New York. Following the success of its debut event, the two-day summit will bring together travel’s most influential minds for an immersive look at the trends shaping the future of global travel.

The World’s Best Summit will feature programming curated by Editor in Chief Jacqueline Gifford, covering a variety of topics and trends such as solo travel, value and all-inclusives, expedition travel, and more. In headlining conversations led by Gifford, Tracee Ellis Ross will reflect on traveling with intention and her love of solo travel, and Selma Blair will discuss navigating the world with MS and the importance of accessibility in the industry.

“After such an energizing first year, we’re thrilled to bring the World’s Best Summit back for its second year,” said Gifford. “This event offers the travel industry a place for meaningful dialogue and new perspectives, with the goal of inspiring a more connected, inclusive, and forward-thinking vision for the future of travel.”

The World’s Best Summit will feature panelists from a wide variety of renowned brands and organizations such as Andean, &Beyond, Hotels Above Par, Hilton, Hyatt, ICNCLST/, La DoubleJ, Lambert McGuire Design, New York Liberty, point.me, PONANT EXPLORATIONS, and personalities including Gail Simmons (Top Chef), Peter Greenberg (CBS News), and Vivian Tu (Your Rich BFF).

Highlights from the programming include:

• Points, Miles & Loyalty: From the hotel space to the credit card industry, the way in which companies retain loyal consumers has drastically changed. T+L Special Projects Editor Jess Feldman will lead a dynamic conversation on how value, flexibility, and personalization are reshaping the rewards space with Global Travel Collection U.K.’s Jason Oshiokpekhai, point.me’s Adam Morvitz, Your Rich BFF‘s Vivian Tu, and CBS News‘ Peter Greenberg.
• Partnerships and Connection – The Power of Brand: How are top brands cultivating loyalty and emotional connection with travelers? T+L Editor in Chief Jacqueline Gifford, ICNCLST/’s Sky Gellatly, Hilton Luxury Brand’s Global Head Dino Michael, Fischersund’s Lilja Birgisdóttir, and food expert, TV host, and author Gail Simmons will explore how storytelling drives both guest retention and cultural relevance.
• The Golden Ticket – Sports and Events Tourism: How are sports and live events becoming powerful engines of travel demand? T+L Senior Editor Elizabeth Rhodes will lead a conversation with Affluent Luxury Travel’s Linda Scroggins, Hurdle podcast’s Emily Abbate, The Second Serve and Open Tennis’ David Shaftel, and New York Liberty’s Shana Stephenson exploring how destinations are leveraging competition to drive tourism and cultural relevance.
• Behind the Design – Crafting a Sense of Place: T+L Executive Editor Flora Stubbs will moderate a compelling discussion on how thoughtful design, history, and local storytelling come together to create spaces that resonate deeply with travelers—featuring some of the industry’s most influential creatives: Vanessa Branson of El Fenn Hotel, designer Liz Lambert of Lambert McGuire Design, Croghan’s Jewel Box’s Rhett Ramsay Outten, and Whitney Robinson of Whitney Robinson International.

Sponsors of the 2025 World’s Best Summit include Explore Charleston, Hilton, Hyatt, National Car Rental, PONANT EXPLORATIONS, Princess Cruises, Singapore Airlines, Travel + Leisure For Business, and Visit Seattle.

For additional information and to purchase tickets to the event, visit worldsbestsummit.com.

SOURCE Dotdash Meredith