Tourism government for the people and by the people. This is what many tourism stakeholders think. They think the government is an elected mirror of the people and are elected by the people. In this case, the people are private stakeholders in the global travel and tourism industry, the governments are the countries representations, often ministers of tourism.

In reality, this may be very different in the world and structure of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The opinion of the private people, the private tourism business owners have no influence on their government representatives according to the response by  Henryk Handszuh,  representing  UNWTO Affiliate Member Katowice School of Economics in Poland. When giving his recommendation for UNWTO Secretary General nominee Georgian Zurab Pololikashvili he explains why. Handszuh was one of the 101 responding to WorldTourism Wire UNWTO Secretary Election survey.

Mr. Handszuh was also one out of 3 responses received by this publication endorsing Zurab for the post he was nominated for on May 12 by the UNWTO Executive Council in Madrid.

Handszuh explains why the opinions of the private sector, whether being part of Affiliate Membership or not have no influence on the election of a new UNWTO Secretary General. His line of thoughts may explain a lot how some in this organization think.

Mr. Handszuh states: The credentials of the Executive Council’s present nominee for the post include those of a former deputy minister of foreign affairs and minister of economic development (of which “tourism”), experience in finance and knowledge of world languages, as well as those of a diplomat/ambassador in important capitals (presently also a permanent representative to UNWTO at Headquarters enabling him to have a closer look at the UNWTO affairs day-by-day). Governments will therefore decide whether these credentials are good enough.

Alongside being a specialized agency of the United Nations, UNWTO is “an international of intergovernmental character”, therefore its Secretary-General`s role is not “to lead world tourism” (impossible), but to listen to governments and pay attention to the issues where governments can intervene, in an agreed and concerted manner, with a view to accomplishing the aims set forth for in Article. 3 of the Organization’s Statutes. The Secretary-General`s post will therefore be decided by member States` governments, not by the opinions of the private sector, whether being part of Affiliate Membership or not.

Keeping this in mind the result of the WorldTourismWire survey had one more endorsement for Zurab from the U.K. and one from the USA (both are not UNWTO member countries)

Major tourism stakeholders from the following countries are strongly opposed to confirm nominee Zurab in Chengdu China and appoint him as the next Secretary General of UNWTO in September.

a BIG NO was received from Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Egypt, East Timor, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Tanzania. Turkey, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe

A minister of tourism from an important Caribbean Country did not want to be identified and states:
Based on what is reported: this man is not qualified to represent nations in tourism matters, it seems he has no experience or sentiment for the sector. Additionally, his route to this position seems fraught with unethical and corrupt practices. Certainly, someone like this could not dispense justice or be a fair and objective participant in the process of leadership or management. My country will not vote to confirm

Barbara Perez from Cuba summarized her concern.:
-I want a candidate to have
-Master or PHD ( Tourism related)
– Experience in tourism sector
– Experience in UNWTO ( member for st least 5 years)
– Eloquent
– Been a member of the Executive Council
– Been active and contributing in UNWTOmeetinggs
– Knowledgeable on the 6 commission and its challenges

The election conducted in Madrid where flawed:
– no discussion of the candidates where conducted according to country delegates insite the room ,
– Some candidate where under prejudice just before election.
– The SG elect was connected to the proceedings insite the room by skype .
– The SG elect only in 2016 presented

Melanie Kumar from India writes:

He should have global standing with sufficient experience in tourism. Most importantly he should be be able to carry all member countries along with him. It is very clear that Ambassador Zurab has been pushed into the post by vested interests without proper voting procedures being followed. Free and fair elections should be held again to upheld the democratic reputation of the UNWTO. Hope that good sense will prevail. May the best woman /man lead UNWTO from 1st January 2018.

Stephen Richter, director of SKAL USA wants the current Secretary General’s term to be extended, and have the election redone within two years from scratch.

Tourism Consultant Max Haberstroh from Germany wants a future Secretary General to have:
– Intercultural sense of a World Citizen (multilingual)
– Visionary, strategic and executive management
– Strong Leadership & Team enhancement (Capacity Building), Motivation
– Creativity, Hands-on approach, negotiation strength, building consensus for large-scale change on political, economic, social and environmental (incl. climate change) platforms
– Cross-sector outreach (for instance: sustainable tourism & renewable energy) and strong integration capabilities
– Branding: Creating the ‘World Tourism Brand’  and giving sustainability a face.
– Strong business and marketing acumen
– Organizational talent
– Event orchestration
– Good recognition/reputation within the Travel & Tourism (public and private business sectors)

The future UNWTO Secretary General should be able to provide the weight Travel & Tourism (T&T) deserves, towards governments, other government or NGO bodies, and industry sectors, and in the light of T&T’s self-proclaimed role as the outspoken ‘peace industry’.

Mariana Novelli, a professor at the University of Brighton writes:
There is a growing number of a possible candidate with PhD in a relevant subject, but a Master and considerable experience in the travel and tourism sector, as well as adequate diplomatic skills, is what is required for the job.

I was extremely shocked when the news was announced and frankly even more shocked when the rumors about corruption and payment made to secure the job made me even more uncomfortable about the entire process and results.

My immediate thought was: ‘here we are this is just like the big scandal with UEFA and all that happens in football…’ I started questioning the credibility of UNWTO and questioning the future of the organisation in the hands of somebody who has barely any experience in tourism or made any effort to make himself known to the industry!

Judy Karwacki of Small Planet Consulting says:  I want a Secretary General has a long involvement in international tourism, Passion for sustainable development through tourism, and he needs to operate with the highest integrity. The current nominee seems to be buying votes and this is not acceptable.

The election conducted in Madrid where flawed:
– no discussion of the candidates where conducted according to country delegates insite the room ,
– Some candidate where under prejudice just before election.
– The SG elect was connected to the proceedings insite the room by skype .
– The SG elect only in 2016 presented

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.