Mexican Gloria Guevara Manzo will leave her office in sunny Florida to become the new President & CEO of the London based World Travel and Tourism Council, known as WTTC.

For a while, insiders saw Ms. Manzo compete for the post of the UNWTO Secretary General. Apparently, Mexico did not appoint her and talk in London was her interest in WTTC after David Scowsill announced his resignation. Insiders saw the reason for David’s resignation a disagreement with the WTTC Chairman Gerald Lawless. David told eTN,  he had enough flying around the world and was looking forward to a change of scenery.

Ms Guevara served as Secretary of Tourism for Mexico and CEO of the Mexican Tourism Board from 2010 to 2012, minister in the cabinet of President Calderón. Prior to that she worked for global distribution system Sabre where most recently she was CEO of Sabre Mexico, reporting to the board of directors of a joint venture between Aeroméxico, Mexicana and Sabre Holdings.  She is currently Special Advisor on Government Affairs for the Centre on Health and the Global Environment at the School of Public Health, Harvard.

Announcing Ms Guevara’s appointment, Gerald Lawless, WTTC Chairman said “Gloria is a proven leader who is well known and well respected within the global Travel & Tourism sector. I am delighted that she will lead WTTC into the next phase of its development.

Gloria was chosen from a competitive field of international candidates.  With a career encompassing senior roles across private sector, government and academia, she brings a unique combination of experience and expertise.”

Reflecting on her appointment, Ms Guevara said “I am excited to be taking up the role of President & CEO of WTTC.  Over the past few years, WTTC has grown enormously in stature and impact.  I look forward to building on this great foundation to expand the Council’s advocacy work for Travel & Tourism, a sector which accounts for 10% of the world’s GDP and 1 in 10 jobs.

This is a critical time for Travel & Tourism and the 292 million people whose jobs depend on it. Future forecasts are strong, but with ongoing terrorism and environmental challenges, compounded by a world which is simultaneously ever more connected yet increasingly divided, now, more than ever, the sector needs to come together with one voice. Travel & Tourism needs to show not only its economic importance but also how it is committed to creating sustainable livelihoods, protecting nature and cultures, and asserting itself as a responsible and leading player in this fast-evolving world.

I am looking forward to working with the Chairman, Vice Chairs, Executive Committee and Members of WTTC to ensure that the voice of the Travel & Tourism is heard and understood by governments around the world.”

WTTC is seen by many as the world authority on Travel & Tourism with a membership which comprises over 150 CEOs of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism companies. It is the only global private sector organization representing the breadth of the global business and leisure travel industries.

Ms Guevara, a Mexican national, is married and has a son and a daughter.

Recognised as one of the most influential women in Mexico by CNN and Expansion, Gloria began her professional career in 1989 at NCR Corporation working in the Latin America, Middle East, and Africa regions. She holds a BS in Computer Science from Anahuac University and MBA from Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University.

Since 1995 she has worked for the travel industry, starting at the Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Holdings, she was later CEO of JV Sabre Mexico reporting to a board of directors from Aeromexico, Mexicana, and Sabre. In March 2010 President Calderon appointed her as Minister of Tourism and two weeks after she was given in addition the full responsibility of the Mexican Tourism board.

Under her leadership the “National Agreement for Tourism” in Mexico was created and signed on 28 February 2011. Gloria received the Good Neighbour Award from the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and Virtuoso awarded Mexico the best tourism board in the world due to her successful branding and repositioning efforts. In addition, Gloria has been Special Advisor on Government Affairs to Harvard University, and part of the Future for Travel, Tourism and Aviation Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The World Travel & Tourism Council is seen as the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity.

Travel & Tourism is a key driver for investment and economic growth globally. The sector contributes US$7.6 trillion or 10.2% of global GDP, once all direct, indirect and induced impacts are taken into account, according to WTTC’s annual produced flagship Economic Impact Report. The sector also accounts for 292 million jobs or one in ten of all jobs on the planet.

For over 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses, who bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, and raise awareness of the importance of the sector.

WTTC’s annual Global Summit brings together over 900 delegates to discuss the opportunities, challenges and issues facing the sector, while its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise the industry’s power to be a positive force in sustainability.