WTTC, the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Madrid City Council sign a Memorandum of Understanding

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism, and the Madrid City Council signed a memorandum of understanding ratifying the WTTC's relocation to Madrid.

The agreement was signed by Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO of the WTTC; Jordi Hereu Boher, the Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism; and José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the Mayor of Madrid. This agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter for global tourism, where Spain will continue to strengthen its leading position in the sector worldwide.

Madrid, Spain, submitted the best proposal to become the new headquarters of the WTTC's global office. The decision was made by the 17 members of the Board of Directors of the global organization after a thorough evaluation of proposals from various countries, considering factors such as office space, a more favorable tax environment, incentives, visa and work permit facilitation, and other relevant aspects.

Establishing the WTTC's new global office in Madrid will contribute to generating tangible and intangible value for its members and boosting the sector's growth potential. Furthermore, this decision opens an unprecedented new chapter in collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as strengthening working synergies with international organizations in the sector, such as UN Tourism.
 
Gloria Guevara Manzo expressed her gratitude for the support of the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Madrid City Council, stating: “We are thrilled about the WTTC's move to Madrid, a great city with significant competitive advantages that will allow Spain to become the capital of global tourism governance. From this important European city, the global agenda and future actions will be defined, as well as the direction of the global private travel and tourism sector. The WTTC believes this decision creates a unique opportunity that must be seized for millions of people.”

For his part, the Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu Boher, celebrated the agreement, which “is the result of months of intense joint work and collaboration between the Spanish Government and the organization,” and which “reinforces our country’s leading position as a global tourism powerhouse.”

The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, emphasized that “this selection makes Madrid the world capital of tourism and demonstrates the confidence the city inspires in international tourism institutions and organizations,” underlining that “Madrid is today a competitive and reliable city, capable of attracting the major organizations that shape the course of global tourism.”

Finally, Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the WTTC, commented: “The unanimous decision to establish our Global Office in Madrid reflects a clear vision for the New Era of the WTTC, with the strong support of the Spanish government at all levels.”

The WTTC is the leading global private sector organization, encompassing the entire travel and tourism value chain with approximately 200 global leaders, who will now define the private sector's global agenda for travel and tourism from Madrid.

According to WTTC estimates, 2025 was a record year for the sector, with a total contribution of $11.7 trillion (10.3%) to the global economy and representing 371 million jobs, or one in three jobs.

Source: WTTC.