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Gloria Guevara, who led the WTTC from 2017-21, could be the first woman to head UN Tourism if she wins Thursday’s election by the global intergovernmental body’s 38 member countries


Guevara tipped to win UN Tourism leader vote


Analysis: Experienced global figure favourite for election, writes Ian Taylor


The election of the secretary- general of UN Tourism – or the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as it was until a year ago – may set few pulses racing. The UK is not a member, having quit in 2010 along with the US. But the expected election this


week of Gloria Guevara, a familiar figure at senior levels of the global travel industry, should end a period of bitterness and controversary at the leading intergovernmental organisation in world tourism after current secretary-general Zurab


48 29 MAY 2025


Pololikashvili sought a third term. Pololikashvili’s emergence in 2017,


when he replaced Taleb Rifai, was a surprise – a product of behind-the- scenes deals between member governments after the elimination of a leading candidate from Africa. His re-election in 2021, having undercut rival candidates by bringing forward the election, drew criticism. But that was nothing compared to the reaction to an attempt to confirm Pololikashvili for a third term at the UNWTO general assembly in 2023. That was defeated, but he was


allowed to run again until this month when his own Georgian government abruptly withdrew support, reportedly under pressure from the UAE and after two former secretary generals, Francesco Frangialli and Rifai, issued a critique of Pololikashvili’s reign. They alleged a lack of transparency, loss of experienced staff and use of resources to promote the incumbent’s campaign, and called for an external audit. Guevara, a former Mexico tourism


Continued on page 46 travelweekly.co.uk


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