World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) congratulated its network of 12 Global Ambassadors who support the growth of the travel and tourism sector, strengthen global partnerships and contribute to the council’s mission to advance the industry around the world, on October 8, 2026, during the 26th Global Summit in Malta. The ambassadors are former ministers, heads of international institutions, tourism pioneers and representatives of business enterprises. Each has contributed their part in supporting and promoting WTTC through wide professional connections and extensive knowledge of the tourism sector, which, in turn, allows the council to cooperate with government officials and private-sector partners and raise the profile of the industry.
WTTC Ambassadors Facilitate Cross-Border Collaboration Toward Global Tourism Development
Global Ambassadors are essential for WTTC’s work as they represent the council in various regions and facilitate the connection of its initiatives with government and business leaders. In particular, the ambassadors support WTTC’s mission and values and advocate for greater public-private partnership and sustainable sector growth in line with the needs of international travelers. In addition, ambassadors play an active role in advocating for the council’s goals within their professional networks, which comprise heads of state, tourism ministers, global business leaders, and enterprise managers.
Moreover, given their vast experience and understanding of the tourism sector’s needs, WTTC Ambassadors can advance the dialogue on investment, competitiveness, and sustainable sector growth and support the collaboration between private-sector partners and government officials. WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara expressed her gratitude to the ambassadors for their support and valuable contributions. She especially emphasized the significance of their vast professional expertise, having worked in government and international organizations as well as in the private sector. Finally, Guevara noted that the ambassadors’ support helpsWTTC to strengthen its voice in international policy-making and public-administration circles and promote the travel and tourism sector as an essential contributor to socio-economic and business development.
WTTC Ambassadors Help Ensure Continued Sector Advancement Around the World
WTTC ambassadors are among the most influential people in the travel and tourism sector. Many of them have been heads of state, government ministers, and managers of international business enterprises and tourism organizations. For example, Prof. Francesco Frangialli, one of the WTTC ambassadors, was the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) back in 1997 – 2009. Taleb Rifai was also a UNWTO Secretary-General, having held the position in 2010 – 2017, as well as a minister of tourism and antiquities in Jordan. Furthermore, Nikolina Angelkova was the Minister of Tourism in Bulgaria, and Abulfas Garayev was his predecessor in the post in Azerbaijan.
In addition, the former Ambassador for Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Korea, Dho Young-shim, also participates in the ambassador program as a former UNWTO ST-EP Foundation chairperson.Ambassadors with government experience allow WTTC to provide counsel and advice on matters of investment, competitiveness, and tourism development. More specifically, the former ministers can help promote a joint vision for public-private partnerships in the tourism sector and help achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
WTTC Ambassadors Advance Sector Collaboration With Business Enterprises
Some of the WTTC Global Ambassadors are former CEOs of leading international tourism business enterprises and representatives of travel and tourism associations. For example, Martin J. Craigs and Dr. Mario Hardy were the former CEOs of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Furthermore, Clement Kwok is a former managing director and CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, the parent company of The Peninsula Hotels. These business leaders may provide WTTC with valuable insight into the needs and pain points of the tourism business enterprises, as well as help the council strengthen its partnerships with the private sector.
Hiromi Tagawa, the former chairman and president and CEO of JTB Corp. and a former WTTC vice chair, and Hiroyuki Takahashi, the chairperson of the board of JTB Corp. and the chairperson of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), participate in the ambassador program as well. They may help WTTC enhance the collaboration between tourism business enterprises and facilitate the dialogue on the tourism sector’s challenges and development in international markets.
The ambassadors, Caroline Beteta and Alex Zozaya Gorostiza, represent the travel and tourism sector in the Americas. Beteta is a former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Visit California, while Zozaya Gorostiza is the founder of AMResorts and the former CEO and executive chairman of Apple Leisure Group. Their professional expertise and networks can be instrumental in advancing the public-private partnerships and collaborative initiatives to promote the tourism sector in the region.
