International endorsements of Gloria Guevara and Harry Theoharis to lead world tourism

19-01-25

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently announced its endorsement of Gloria Guevara as candidate for the position of Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the 2026-2029 term. 

Guevara, Mexico's former Secretary of Tourism and former president of the WTTC, has more than 35 years of experience in the tourism industry, both in the public and private sectors. Her career has focused on initiatives that balance sustainability, innovation and economic growth, consolidating her as one of the most influential figures in global tourism.

The Mexican government has expressed strong support for her candidacy; Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora have expressed confidence in her ability to lead the UNWTO. Guevara has expressed her gratitude for this support, noting that her appointment would represent an honor for Mexico. If elected, she would be the first woman and the first Mexican to hold the position, marking a milestone in gender equality and Latin American representation in the international tourism sector.

On the other hand, the African Tourism Board (ATB) also recently expressed its support for the former Minister of Tourism of Greece, Harry Theoharis. Theoharis, recognized for his role in the revitalization of Greek tourism, has presented a vision focused on tourism development prioritizing sustainability, connectivity and investment for the benefit of local communities and visitors. 

ATB President Cuthbert Ncube expressed his confidence that Theoharis will bring new strategies to meet the challenges of global tourism. He stressed the importance of leadership that understands the particularities of the African market and encourages its tourism growth.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Gloria Guevara is the best positioned to lead the UNWTO, standing out for her leadership and commitment to transparency, inclusion and sustainable development in world tourism.

Likewise, in contact with various governments and prominent UNWTO Affiliate Members, they have expressed their support for Guevara and Theoharis in the hope that the UNWTO will strengthen international partnerships and address the challenges of the sector, especially in regions with high growth potential such as Africa.

The election of the next UNWTO Secretary General will take place in May this year and, so far, four candidates have formalized their candidacy: in addition to Theoharis, competing are Gloria Guevara of Mexico, former Minister of Tourism and former CEO of the WTTC; Mouhamed Faouzou Deme of Senegal, president of the African Tourism Council and advisor to the Senegalese president; and the current secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili.

The global tourism community is following the UNWTO election process with interest, aware that the elected leadership will influence the recovery and evolution of tourism in the coming years.