The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism, and the Madrid City Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formally ratify the opening of WTTC’s new Global Office in Madrid.
The agreement was signed by Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO of WTTC; Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu Boher; and the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida. This agreement represents the beginning of a new chapter for global tourism, in which Spain will continue to strengthen its leadership position in the sector worldwide.
Madrid, Spain, presented the strongest proposal to become the new location for the WTTC Global Office. The decision was made by the 17 members of the organisation’s Board of Directors, following a thorough evaluation of proposals from several countries. These proposals included office facilities for the headquarters, a more favourable tax environment, incentives, visa facilitation, and work permits, among other considerations.
Establishing the new WTTC Global Office in Madrid will help generate both tangible and intangible value for its members, while also boosting the sector’s growth potential. Furthermore, this decision opens an unprecedented new chapter in public-private collaboration, alongside strengthening working synergies with international tourism organisations such as UN Tourism.
Gloria Guevara Manzo thanked Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Madrid City Council for their support, stating:
“We are excited about the relocation of the WTTC Global Office to the city of Madrid, a great city with strong competitive advantages that will enable Spain to become the world capital of tourism governance. From this important European city, the global agenda and next steps will be defined, as well as the direction of the global private travel and tourism sector. WTTC believes this decision creates a unique opportunity that must be seized for the benefit of millions of people.”
Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu Boher, welcomed the agreement, calling it “the result of months of intense joint work and collaboration between the Government of Spain and the organization,” and that it “strengthens our country’s leadership position as a global tourism powerhouse”.
Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida emphasised that “this selection makes Madrid the world capital of tourism and demonstrates the confidence the city inspires among international tourism institutions and organisations”. He added: “Madrid is today a competitive and reliable city, capable of attracting the major organisations that shape the direction of global tourism.”
Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of the WTTC Board of Directors, commented: “The unanimous decision to establish our Global Office in Madrid reflects a clear vision for the new era of WTTC, with the strong support of the Spanish government at all levels.”
WTTC is the most important global organisation representing the private sector of the travel and tourism industry, encompassing the entire value chain with approximately 200 global leaders, who will now define the global private-sector agenda for travel and tourism from Madrid.
According to WTTC estimates, 2025 was a record year for the sector, contributing US$11.7 trillion (10.3%) to the global economy and generating 371 million jobs worldwide.