The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced a major transformation of its global leadership structure, signaling a new chapter aimed at addressing the current and future needs of the private travel and tourism sector.

The revamped organization brings together senior executives, former government leaders, industry experts, and former ministers from across the global travel ecosystem. The new leadership reflects the diversity and international scope of both the public and private sectors, with representation from 21 nationalities across five continents, including key markets such as the United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, India, China, and Kenya.

Strengthened Leadership for a Changing Industry

The updated structure enhances WTTC’s capabilities across key strategic areas, including government relations, research, business development, and global communications.

Key appointments include:

• Esteban Velásquez Wilhelm as Executive Vice President, Business Development & Membership, leading global commercial strategy and partnerships.
• Najib Balala, former Kenya Minister of Tourism, as Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Research.
• Maribel Rodríguez Gamero as Executive Vice President, Destinations.
• Sarah Jukes as Vice President, Strategic Communications & Content.
• Julio Solvas as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing global financial strategy.

The leadership team is further supported by a growing network of senior executives and regional directors, reinforcing WTTC’s global operational reach.

A Truly Global Organization

Headquartered in Madrid, WTTC continues to expand its international footprint, with regional leadership across Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This strengthened presence enables closer engagement with local markets, more effective policy advocacy, and deeper research capabilities.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, emphasized the strategic importance of the new structure:
"We have built a leadership team that reflects the current and future needs of the travel and tourism sector, with unprecedented diversity in nationalities, experience, and perspectives. This diversity strengthens our ability to support our members, work with governments, and drive sustainable growth."

Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of the Board, added:
"I am proud of WTTC’s global team, which brings together exceptional experience from around the world, positioning the organization to play an even more influential role in the future of the sector."

Positioning the Sector for Growth

With a strengthened leadership structure and expanded global presence, WTTC is well positioned to advance its mission: driving the growth of the travel and tourism sector, supporting job creation, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors worldwide.