According to emerging reports from the 2nd Tourism Africa-Americas Summit, held from 8–10 April 2025 in Livingstone, Zambia, UN-Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has been accused of attempting to block Gloria Guevara, the Mexican candidate vying for the top UN tourism post, from attending the high-profile event.
Sources claim that Pololikashvili allegedly used his influence to prevent Guevara’s participation at the summit, possibly to avoid facing scrutiny or direct competition in the presence of key global tourism stakeholders. The situation reportedly escalated until Mexico formally intervened, prompting action from the Zambian Minister of Tourism, Rodney Malindi Sikumba, who then ensured Guevara’s access to the venue.
Eyewitnesses describe Guevara as “visibly shocked” by the episode, though she maintained composure and professionalism. She later had a constructive conversation with Minister Sikumba, thanking him for his fairness and vision. In a symbolic moment of diplomacy, Guevara was seen shaking hands with the Minister at the UN-affiliated gathering.
Guevara later shared her sentiments on LinkedIn, reflecting on her exchange with HE Musanga Didier M’Pambia, the Minister of Tourism for the Democratic Republic of Congo. “I coincide with his vision of the importance of the traveler journey and assessing each touchpoint to guarantee satisfaction and repeat visits,” she wrote, highlighting her ongoing dialogue with African leaders about strengthening tourism collaboration.
The backdrop of the controversy is symbolic: Livingstone, Zambia, a place historically tied to UNWTO milestones, having co-hosted the UNWTO Secretary-General election in 2024 alongside Zimbabwe — a period remembered as a turning point for African tourism diplomacy.
While no official statement has been released by UN-Tourism or Pololikashvili regarding the alleged incident, the developments have fueled speculation about the internal tensions within the organization as the UNWTO leadership race intensifies.
