Carnival Cruise CEO Arnold Donald Named WTTC’s New Chair

Carnival Cruise CEO Arnold Donald.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector has announced Arnold Donald, the president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, as its new Chair.

The announcement was made during the WTTC’s Global Summit that took place in Cancun, Mexico.

Donald took over from outgoing Chair, Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, after three successful years at the helm of WTTC.

“I would like to thank Chris Nassetta for his dedication and commitment over the past three years. He has been instrumental in making WTTC what it is today,” WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said.

“Now we embark on a new chapter with Arnold Donald as WTTC’s next Chair and look forward to our next Global Summit which will take place in Manila in the Philippines later this year.”

WTTC Global Summit

Hundreds of the world’s foremost business leaders, government ministers and key decision-makers from across the global Travel & Tourism sector gathered together at the WTTC’s Global Summit in Mexico, to discuss the road to recovery for the embattled sector.

The tourism leaders used the forum to share their experiences from the last 12 devastating months, which had ravaged the Travel & Tourism sector, and discussed how together they could safely restart international travel, whilst looking to an even more sustainable and inclusive future of the sector.

‘We can resume international travelling once more’

In a world-first, WTTC organised the event for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic – with tens of thousands more joining virtually – while complying with strict world-class health and hygiene protocols. Regular testing was made available for all delegates attending for the duration of the summit to ensure their safety was paramount.

“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,” the WTTC’s president said.

Under the theme of ‘Uniting the World for Recovery’, all parties agreed on the need for greater public and private collaboration. The growing importance of using digital technology, such as biometrics, a major force in the post Covid-19 world, was recognised as being critical to creating a contactless, safe and seamless traveller journey.

WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara.

“Together we have shown that with a united front, both the private and public sectors in Travel & Tourism can drive change and get the world moving again so that we can start travelling, exploring and sharing our experiences face-to-face,” Guevara said.

The Global Summit also saw the signing of the WTTC Women’s Initiative Declaration, which recognised the contribution of women around the world and the importance of an equal equitable environment for women to thrive as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

At the closure of the event, the travel and tourism leaders took a united stand to safely restart international travel.