The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named six of its former chairs as senators, recognising the executives who led the council between 2007 and 2025, it said on October 8.
The six span the sector’s main business lines: hotels, cruise, tour operating, package holidays and investment. They led WTTC through the global financial crisis, the pandemic shutdown of international travel and the recovery that followed. Their companies include Dubai’s Jumeirah Group, whose former chief executive Gerald Lawless chaired the council from 2016 to 2018. The recognition came at WTTC’s 26th Global Summit in Valletta, Malta, where the council also gave Icon Awards to Punta Cana developer Frank Rainieri and former UN Tourism chief Francesco Frangialli.
“WTTC’s former Chairs have each played a pivotal role in strengthening our organisation and advancing the interests of the global Travel & Tourism sector. Their leadership helped build the foundation on which WTTC continues to thrive today,” said Gloria Guevara, WTTC’s President and CEO.
The six senators are Geoffrey Kent of Abercrombie & Kent, chair from 2007 to 2012; Michael Frenzel of TUI, chair from 2012 to 2016; Gerald Lawless of Jumeirah Group, chair from 2016 to 2018; Christopher Nassetta of Hilton, chair from 2018 to 2021; Arnold Donald of Carnival Corporation, chair from 2021 to 2023; and Greg O’Hara of Certares, chair from 2023 to 2025.
WTTC launched its Senate in Rome in 2025 to recognise former chairs whose leadership had a lasting impact on the council and the sector. The council said senators help preserve its institutional knowledge and remain involved in its work.
WTTC said its chairs helped expand its influence with governments and international institutions, and advanced its research and advocacy on travel and tourism as a driver of jobs and economic growth.
WTTC represents the private sector of global travel and tourism. Its members include chairs, presidents and chief executives of hotel groups, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology platforms and destinations. It is moving its global headquarters to Madrid.
Image: Martin Furtschegger via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0