CANCUN, MEXICO — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald as its new Chair.

Taking over the reins from outgoing Chair Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, who led three successful years at the helm, Donald will represent the global private Travel & Tourism sector for WTTC.

Donald’s appointment was announced at WTTC’s three-day Global Summit in Cancun, a world-first that welcomed hundreds of the world’s foremost business leaders, government ministers and key decision-makers from across the global Travel & Tourism sector since the outbreak of the pandemic. Those in attendance gathered to discuss the road to recovery, with tens of thousands more joining virtually. Regular testing was made available for all delegates for the duration of the summit.

“Our very presence here shows that we can resume international travelling once more, by observing the latest health and safety protocols, which WTTC has helped develop for businesses large and small throughout the sector,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO. “We concluded our Global Summit here in Cancun, confident that together we can revive a sector that will generate the world’s economic recovery and bring people back together, thanks to the amazing benefits international Travel & Tourism can bring.”

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO at the Global Summit in Cancun

At WTTC’s Global Leaders Dialogue session, delegates debated how the sector could tackle the pressing issues of protecting jobs, saving businesses and supporting the global economy through the safe revival of international travel. The growing importance of digital technology such as biometrics, a major force in the post-COVID-19 world, was recognized as being critical to creating a contactless, safe and seamless traveller journey.

WTTC also committed to work towards a more inclusive and sustainable future, pledging to advocate for gender equality and equity and boost female representation in leadership roles by launching its Women’s Initiative with help from tennis champion Martina Navratilova. The Global Summit saw the signing of the Women’s Initiative Declaration, which recognized the contribution of women around the world and the importance of an equitable environment for women to thrive as leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. 

The next Global Summit will be held in Manila, the Philippines.