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Date: 8 October 2026
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has presented H.E. Jordi Hereu, Spain's Minister of Industry and Tourism, with its Global Champion Award, recognising his leadership in strengthening Spain's position as one of the world's leading Travel & Tourism economies, his commitment to public-private collaboration, and his support for deeper engagement with the global private sector.
The award was presented during WTTC's 26th Global Summit in Malta, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 of the world's leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders, to discuss the future of the sector and its contribution to economic growth, investment and job creation worldwide.
The WTTC Global Champion Award recognises public leaders whose policies and initiatives have supported the growth, competitiveness and global visibility of Travel & Tourism while championing collaboration with the private sector.
Spain remains one of Europe’s strongest Travel & Tourism economies. WTTC forecasts the sector will grow 3.7% in 2026, while international visitor spending is expected to rise by 5.3%.
In 2025, Spain recorded US$130.1 billion in international visitor spending, the highest in Europe and the third highest globally, underlining the country's continuing importance to the European and global tourism economy.
Minister Hereu has also played a key role in Spain’s growing relationship with WTTC. In January, he signed an MOU with WTTC and the City of Madrid formalising the organisation’s move of its global headquarters to Madrid, following months of collaboration between the Spanish Government and WTTC.
The move further strengthens Spain’s position as a centre for international Travel & Tourism leadership and provides an important platform for continued collaboration between the Spanish Government and the global private sector.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Minister Hereu has been a true champion of public-private collaboration, recognising that the future success of Travel & Tourism depends on governments and businesses working together towards shared goals."
"Under his leadership, Spain has continued to strengthen its position as one of the world's leading tourism economies, recording the highest international visitor spending in Europe. He has also been a valued partner to WTTC, helping deepen our relationship with Spain and supporting our move to Madrid, further reinforcing collaboration between the global private sector and government."
Spain’s performance also illustrates the wider importance of Travel & Tourism to Europe, where the sector is forecast to grow faster than the wider economy in 2026.
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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.