.webp?language=en)
Date: 8 October 2026
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today celebrated its network of 12 distinguished Ambassadors during its 26th Global Summit in Malta, recognising their continued contribution to advancing Travel & Tourism and supporting WTTC's mission around the world.
The recognition highlighted a group of former ministers, international organisation leaders, tourism pioneers and business executives whose experience, credibility and global networks help strengthen the Council's engagement with governments, industry leaders and key stakeholders across every region.
WTTC Ambassadors are leaders whose standing, integrity and relationships across government and industry make them trusted voices for Travel & Tourism. They represent the Council in their respective regions, open doors to senior public and private sector leaders, and champion WTTC's mission, vision and values, helping strengthen the global community working on behalf of the sector.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: "Our Ambassadors bring unparalleled experience and insight from across government, business and international organisations. Their leadership, influence and commitment help strengthen WTTC's voice around the world, fostering greater collaboration and ensuring Travel & Tourism remains a priority for policymakers and industry leaders alike. We are immensely grateful for their support and dedication to our shared mission."
The WTTC Ambassadors represent decades of leadership at the highest levels of global tourism, government and business. Among them are two former Secretaries-General of the World Tourism Organization: Professor Francesco Frangialli, who led the organisation from 1997 to 2009, and Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General from 2010 to 2017 and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan.
The Ambassador network also includes former government leaders such as Nikolina Angelkova, former Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, and Dr Abulfas Garayev, former Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan and former member of the UNWTO Executive Council.
Travel & Tourism's leading industry organisations are represented by figures including Martin J. Craigs and Dr Mario Hardy, both former CEOs of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), as well as Clement Kwok, former Managing Director and CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, operator of The Peninsula Hotels.
Other distinguished Ambassadors include Ambassador Dho Young-shim, former Ambassador for Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Korea and former Chairperson of the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation; Hiromi Tagawa, former Chairman and President & CEO of JTB Corp. and former Vice Chair of WTTC; and Hiroyuki Takahashi, Chairperson of the Board of JTB Corp. and Chairperson of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA).
Representing the Americas are Caroline Beteta, former President & CEO of Visit California, and Alex Zozaya Gorostiza, Founder of AMResorts and former CEO and Executive Chairman of Apple Leisure Group.
Together, WTTC's Ambassadors play a vital role in supporting the Council's advocacy efforts, strengthening relationships with policymakers and business leaders, and promoting the importance of Travel & Tourism as a driver of economic growth, job creation and social prosperity.
Their expertise, influence and commitment continue to help advance WTTC's priorities globally, supporting efforts to foster investment, improve competitiveness and build stronger public-private collaboration across the sector.
– ENDS –
For more information about WTTC, please visit wttc.org
For media enquiries, please contact Paul Charles / Philip Allport /
Rob Morris at The PC Agency via [email protected]
About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global body representing the private sector of Travel & Tourism and the leading authority on the sector’s economic and social contribution worldwide. Its members include Chairmen, Presidents and CEOs of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology platforms and destinations, spanning every major region globally.
WTTC works to advance sustainable growth across the Travel & Tourism sector by driving collaboration between industry leaders and governments, shaping global policy, and providing authoritative research on the sector’s economic impact worldwide.