WTTC selects Madrid as home of new global office

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named Madrid as the location of its new global office.

The organisation said the move would “help deliver tangible value to members and ignite the sector’s growth potential”.

Five destinations had expressed interest in hosting the global office – Dubai, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland – after the organisation announced it was leaving the UK due to challenges linked to Brexit, such as constraints on talent mobility. 

Madrid was endorsed by all 17 members of WTTC’s operating committee, who agreed the Spanish capital offered the most attractive option due to its competitiveness, a more favourable tax environment, government support, easier visa processing for employees and overall lower operating costs.

Madrid was also selected for its international connectivity via Madrid-Barajas Airport, competitive business environment, incentives from government, synergies with international organisations in the sector such as UN Tourism and alignment with WTTC’s global mission, said the WTTC.

WTTC chairman Manfredi Lefebvre said: “This move ensures we operate more efficiently, deliver more value to our members, access the best global talent and maintain a truly international outlook, strongly supported by the Spanish government.”

Lefebvre added 2026 would be a year in which “we reshape WTTC so it is focused on its members, stronger research capability and deeper government advocacy in the travel and tourism sector”.

Gloria Guevara, interim president and chief executive of the WTTC, said the move would allow the WTTC to “go from strength to strength”, adding: “Spain has prioritised travel and tourism and clearly understands the enormous contribution the sector makes to global growth.”