Trade and tourism are important engines of economic growth. International trade represents 50.6% of global GDP and is expected to increase 350% by 2050 (in t/km). Tourism accounts for 21% of global export services. International tourist arrivals reached 1.1 billion in 2013 (1995: 0.5 bn); it will be 1.8 billion in 2030.

Both trade and tourism depend on effective transport systems. Yet transport faces huge challenges as a provider of human mobility and facilitator of goods exchange. The rise of Asia and Africa will drive demand for freight transport. Trade patterns will shift, creating uncertainty for supply chains. Growing numbers of tourists will put pressure on international and domestic transport networks around the world, highlighting the need for more sustainable and accessible services and infrastructure. How transport should respond and meet these
challenges will be at the centre of debate at the International Transport Forum’s 2015 Summit.