The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has given its Global Champion Award to Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, the council said on October 8.
The award links WTTC more closely to the government that will host its new global headquarters. In January, Hereu signed a memorandum of understanding with WTTC and Madrid City Council to formalise the council’s move from London to Madrid. The move puts the main private-sector tourism body in the same city as UN Tourism. Spain spends to match its status: international visitors spent $130.1bn there in 2025, the most in Europe and third worldwide, according to WTTC. The council forecasts Spain’s travel and tourism sector will grow 3.7% in 2026, ahead of the 3.1% it expects for Europe.
“Minister Hereu has been a true champion of public-private collaboration, recognising that the future success of Travel & Tourism depends on governments and businesses working together towards shared goals,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC’s President and CEO.
Hereu received the award at WTTC’s 26th Global Summit in Valletta, Malta. The summit drew more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 travel and tourism chief executives and government leaders. The summit agenda focused on destination competitiveness, investment and job creation.
WTTC gives the Global Champion Award to public leaders whose policies have supported the growth, competitiveness and international profile of travel and tourism, and who have worked closely with the private sector.
WTTC expects international visitor spending in Spain to rise 5.3% in 2026. It forecasts that across Europe, travel and tourism will grow faster than the wider economy this year.
WTTC represents the private sector of the global travel and tourism industry. Its members include chief executives of airlines, hotel groups, cruise lines and travel companies. It produces annual economic impact research covering more than 180 economies.