WTTC confirms to study proposals of 6 destinations for its new office

Rumors just before World Travel Market about a possible departure of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) from London are finally confirmed. The global tourism organization announced on December 15 that Dubai, France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland have clearly expressed their interest in hosting the WTTC new office.

This mobilization demonstrates the willingness of these destinations to strengthen their cooperation with the WTTC and to permanently engage in its work, in recognition of its role as a global reference for the travel and tourism sector.

The opening of a new office would allow the WTTC to strengthen its international presence, while facilitating the mobility of its teams and partner delegations. Such an establishment would help improve the organization’s operational efficiency, optimize its operating costs, and attract international talent, while strengthening its ability to keep up with the rapid changes in the sector and develop its partnerships in both mature and emerging markets.

Over the past few weeks, the five countries involved, representing six candidate cities, have presented the main advantages related to hosting a WTTC office. These proposals highlight concrete opportunities to support sustainable growth in the sector, strengthen the WTTC’s action and influence on an international scale, and consolidate its leadership within the global travel and tourism industry. The savings made would also allow the WTTC to strengthen the services and support provided to its members worldwide.

The cities currently under consideration are: Barcelona, Dubai, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, and Paris.

The concerned governments have presented high-level support measures to facilitate the establishment of the WTTC, including attractive economic conditions, tax benefits, simplified administrative procedures, access to a large pool of international talent, as well as expedited visa processes. These commitments illustrate each country’s ability and willingness to welcome the WTTC under favorable conditions, to the benefit of the entire sector.

The WTTC has initiated a structured evaluation process, at the end of which the Operational Committee will announce, in the coming weeks, the chosen location.

Gloria Guevara, President and Interim CEO of the WTTC, said: “We are delighted by the clearly expressed interest of these countries to host the WTTC. The commitments and support measures offered reflect the importance they place on close cooperation with our organization. I would like to thank the concerned governments for their support. The opening of a new office will allow us to improve our operational efficiency and create additional room for maneuver in order to provide even more value to our members around the world.”

Manfredi Lefebvre, President of the WTTC, added: “This new office will strengthen our international presence and our attractiveness to global talent. It will serve as a key hub for cooperation, innovation, and reflection on the sustainable development of the sector, while consolidating the leading role of the private sector in global tourism.”

The WTTC will communicate new information as the evaluation process progresses.

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