The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that 50 new members have joined the organisation so far in 2026, expanding its representation across the global travel and tourism industry.
The new members span several sectors, including mobility,
hospitality, travel retail, investment and insurance. They include Corinthia
Group, Club Med, Investindustrial, Allianz Partners and Pernod Ricard,
alongside eight returning members such as Uber, Barceló Hotel Group, Meliá
Hotels International and Avolta.
The organisation has also strengthened its leadership with
the appointment of two major luxury hospitality groups, Four Seasons and
Mandarin Oriental, to its Executive Committee, bringing additional experience
and expertise from the global luxury hotel sector.
Mandarin Oriental's return follows more than 25 years of
previous membership and reflects its commitment to greater industry
collaboration and participation in shaping the future of travel and tourism.
The group currently operates 47 hotels, 16 residences and 43
exclusive homes across 30 countries and territories, with plans to expand its
global portfolio to 100 hotels by 2033.
Meanwhile, Four Seasons, founded in 1961, has established an
international presence through its focus on personalised guest experiences,
service excellence and innovation. The company currently operates 140 hotels
and more than 60 residential properties across 47 countries.
WTTC said the growing membership reflects the organisation's
expanding global reach and the importance of collaboration across different
segments of the travel and tourism industry.
Gloria
Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, added: “Welcoming 50 new members in a
single year is a powerful vote of confidence in both our sector and WTTC. We
are delighted to welcome this exceptional group of sector leaders, including
Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Meliá Hotels International, Barceló Hotel
Group, Uber, Corinthia Group, Grupo Piñero, and many others from across the
globe. Their insights and leadership will be invaluable as we shape together
the future of Travel & Tourism.”
Laurent
Kleitman, Mandarin Oriental Group Chief Executive, said: “The World Travel and
Tourism Council has a unique ability to connect people, cultures and
communities. As Mandarin Oriental enters an exciting new chapter of global
growth, we are delighted to rejoin WTTC’s Executive Committee and contribute to
shaping the future of our industry. We share a commitment to responsible growth,
meaningful collaboration and creating lasting value for the destinations and
communities in which we operate. Above all, we believe the future of luxury
hospitality lies in exceptional experiences that foster human connections.”
Alejandro
Reynal, Four Seasons President and CEO, said: “At Four Seasons, we have always
believed that exceptional hospitality starts with people and is strengthened
through service, authentic experiences, and a long-term commitment to the
communities and destinations we serve. As our industry continues to evolve, we
are honored to join the World Travel & Tourism Council to advance
innovation and strengthen the long-term resilience of the global travel and
tourism industry.”
The surge in membership comes as Travel & Tourism continues to grow faster than ever, with WTTC research forecasting the sector will contribute $11.9 trillion to the global economy in 2026, accounting for 9.9% of global GDP and supporting 375 million jobs worldwide, equivalent to one in every nine jobs. -TradeArabia News Service