This morning Visit Portugal left the World Travel and Tourism Council based on not yet confirmed information from a whistleblower within the WTTC structure.
The current situation is unhealthy for WTTC and the Global Travel and Tourism Industry.
African American WTTC Chairman Arnold Donald has not responded to the crisis unfolding at the London HQ.
After Cuthbert Ncube, Chairman of the African Tourism Board, called on WTTC to solve its internal issues, now Alain St. Ange, former minister of Tourism for Seychelles and a Vice President in charge of government relations for the World Tourism Network, is urging the WTTC Chairman Mr. Arnold Donald to take ownership of the situation.
Hon. Alain St. Ange speaks out on the WTTC Crisis
The news about WTTC and the resignation of influential private sector members is troubling. I am sure it’s even more troubling to active players in the broader tourism community. “
It’s even more surprising after WTTC finished the largest and most successful summit in Riyadh with a message of unity.”
WTTC commands an important position as the body where the major private sector meets government representatives and agrees on strategies outside the official political stand. This is opening the needed dialogue for a more conducive tourism industry.
Any family faces challenges, but it cannot be allowed to disrupt the core fabric of the family base.
The WTTC situation may spell disaster.
Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio leaving WTTC after 20 years of active membership should be more than a wake-up message.
Many in the industry supported Manfredi’s ambition to take over the next chairmanship of the Council. It is troubling to hear from a friend that even though a majority for this support was already voted for at the April board meeting, and dismissed by a technicality. Of course, this creates tension.
Manfredi also spoke for Africa at the World Travel and Tourism Council. With the upcoming WTTC Summit in Rwanda, the news of his resignation united African Tourism in seeing this as a major step backward.”
WTTC must remain a global leader with stakeholders in all parts of the globe.
It would be equally sad if WTTC lost this diversity and inclusivity. This may cause more members to no longer see the value of belonging to this global organization.
The COVID pandemic, followed by the Russia – Ukraine war, has impacted the tourism industry, and stability is needed more than ever.
Everyone knows that the situation WTTC is now facing will not disappear by itself. We need the tourism fraternity to rally, talk and save the organization that had grown to be the voice of the private sector trade and the motor behind tourism.
The coming Rwanda Summit plans to have more private sector trade coming forward to sit and meet Government Officials.
We need to save the Rwanda Summit.
The World Tourism Network suggests that the African Tourism Board take a leadership role so that Africa can speak with a clear and powerful voice.
Do it to Africa, for tourism and the economies of the world — save WTTC.
Hon. Alain St. Ange, former minister of Tourism Seychelles, VP World Tourism Network
