Former World Travel & Tourism Council president Gloria Guevara has been put forward as a candidate to become the first female secretary-general of UN Tourism, formerly known as UNWTO.
Guevara, who was previously Mexico’s tourism minister, has just completed a term as senior special advisor to the minister of tourism in Saudi Arabia.
She has been nominated by Mexico to become UN Tourism’s next secretary general in 2026.
She said: “My candidacy’s mission is clear – to seek to strengthen UN Tourism and its members at the global level; to ensure that tourism has a relevant place during decision-making whether at global, regional or local level; to advance the sustainability agenda; to strengthen connectivity worldwide; and to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and investment.
“The expertise I have gained over the last four decades can help all member states involved in UN Tourism, as well as the organisation itself.
“I have a truly global perspective and would help every country strengthen its tourism presence on the world stage.”