The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has appointed Gloria Guevara Manzo, former tourism secretary for Mexico, as it’s new president and chief executive.
Guevara takes over from David Scowsill who stepped down in June.
She has worked in the travel industry since 1995, having started at Sabre Holdings, and was chief executive of the Sabre Mexico joint venture with Aeroméxico and Mexicana.
Mexico’s President Calderón appointed Guevara as tourism secretary in 2010, and she was responsible for the country’s national agreement for tourism the following year.
Guevara has acted as a special advisor on government affairs to Harvard University and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Future for Travel, Tourism and Aviation global agenda council.
WTTC Chairman Gerald Lawless said: “Gloria is a proven leader who is well known and well respected in the global travel and tourism sector.
“I’m delighted she will lead the WTTC into its next phase.”
Guevara said: “The WTTC has grown enormously in stature and impact. I forward to building on this to expand the council’s advocacy work for travel and tourism”
She said: “This is a critical time. Future forecasts are strong, but with terrorism and environmental challenges the sector needs to come together with one voice.
“Travel and tourism needs to show not only its economic importance but also how it is committed to creating sustainable livelihoods, protecting nature and cultures and asserting itself as a responsible and leading player in the world.”
The WTTC is the global, private sector advocacy group for the industry. It comprises the CEOS of more than 150 leading travel and tourism companies.