Gloria Guevara Manzo, a prominent figure in the travel and tourism sector with 35 years of experience, has been proposed by Mexico as a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) starting in 2026.
If elected, Guevara Manzo would become the first woman to lead UNWTO. With significant background in the tourism field, including positions such as Director of Sabre Mexico, head of the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico, and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), as well as an advisor in the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Guevara Manzo presents herself as a candidate with a clear, results-oriented approach.
In an interview with EFE, Guevara Manzo expressed her commitment to elevate UNWTO to a new level, expanding its relevance and value for member states. Her plan includes discussions with the 160 member countries in the first 100 days of her mandate to establish a concrete action plan that promotes global tourism development.
Key proposals from Guevara Manzo include increasing the value of the organization for member countries by adapting its support to specific needs, integrating non-member destinations to strengthen global representation, and promoting tourism dispersion to encourage balanced sector growth.
The selection process includes the submission of candidacies by member states before January 31 and the subsequent recommendation of a candidate during the UNWTO Executive Council meeting in May. Gloria Guevara Manzo, recognized by CNN, Forbes, and Expansión as one of the most influential women in Mexico, faces the challenge of positioning the tourism sector as a key driver for sustainable development globally.
