In an unexpected and decisive turn ahead of the upcoming elections to choose the new leadership of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), current Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili is out of the race for a third term.
The decision was confirmed by the government of Georgia, his home country, which officially withdrew his candidacy for the position.

This development reshapes the electoral landscape ahead of the vote scheduled for May 29–30 in Madrid, during the Executive Council meeting of the organization.

The Withdrawal of Pololikashvili: End of an Era at UN Tourism?

Pololikashvili took office in 2018 and was re-elected in 2021. His bid for a third consecutive term—unprecedented in the organization’s recent history—had been the subject of criticism by various diplomatic actors and tourism stakeholders, who called for leadership rotation, greater transparency, and structural reforms within the agency.

According to sources close to the matter, Pololikashvili himself reportedly acknowledged the difficulty of securing enough support for re-election—even from his own country—which ultimately led to his decision to step aside.

Gloria Guevara: A Rising Favorite

With the current Secretary-General stepping down, attention has now shifted to Gloria Guevara Manzo, former Secretary of Tourism of Mexico and former CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). She has gained international prominence for her platform focused on institutional transformation within the organization.

In recent statements to CNN, Guevara emphasized the need for transparent leadership, inclusive growth, and stronger public-private collaboration. Her proposals have resonated particularly well among countries in Ibero-America, Europe, and Africa, consolidating a support base that could prove decisive in the upcoming vote.

Five Candidates Remain in the Race

In addition to Gloria Guevara and Shaikha Al Nowais, an Emirati official affiliated with the Rotana hotel group, three other candidates remain in the running:

• Harry Theoharis (Greece): Former Minister of Tourism, advocating for innovation, transparency, and term limits.
• Habib Ammar (Tunisia): Focused on sustainability and regional cooperation.
• Mohammed Adam (Ghana): Diplomat with a vision to strengthen Africa’s role and institutional leadership globally.

The UN Tourism Executive Council, composed of 35 member states, will convene in Madrid to elect the next Secretary-General through a secret ballot. The winning candidate will need at least 18 votes and must be confirmed by the General Assembly in November 2025.

With Pololikashvili stepping down, a historic opportunity opens to renew the leadership of UN Tourism and steer its agenda toward more open, representative, and effective governance in line with today’s global tourism challenges.