World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has appointed Najib Balala as Executive Vice-President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research, reinforcing its focus on strengthening global policy engagement and public-private collaboration.
Based in Madrid, Balala will spearhead WTTC’s global advocacy agenda, driving government engagement and shaping policy research initiatives at a time when the travel and tourism sector is navigating complex geopolitical and economic shifts.
Balala brings over 12 years of experience as Kenya’s Cabinet Minister for Tourism and Wildlife, where he played a pivotal role in shaping both national and international tourism policy. He is widely recognised for his leadership during periods of political uncertainty and the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he guided Kenya’s tourism sector toward recovery and secured the world’s first “Safer Tourism Seal.”
Known for his ability to bridge government priorities with private sector ambitions, Balala has been instrumental in strengthening Kenya’s global tourism positioning. In his new role, he will report directly to Gloria Guevara.
Commenting on the appointment, Balala said it is an honour to contribute his experience in aligning public and private sector interests to WTTC’s strategic roadmap. Guevara highlighted that his global experience and leadership will further strengthen WTTC’s role in advancing the sector worldwide.
The appointment underscores WTTC’s intent to deepen its influence with governments globally, leveraging experienced leadership to navigate future challenges and opportunities in the travel and tourism ecosystem.
