The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the most influential private-sector organisation within the Travel & Tourism industry, today revealed that 50 new members have joined the organisation so far in 2026.
The new members span the full breadth of the sector and beyond, including mobility, hospitality, travel retail, investment and insurance. Among them are Corinthia Group, Club Med, Investindustrial, Allianz Partners and Pernod Ricard, alongside eight returning members, including Uber, Barceló Hotel Group, Meliá Hotels International and Avolta.
Two of the world’s leading luxury hotel groups, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, have just taken seats on WTTC’s Executive Committee, further strengthening the organisation’s global leadership and bringing valuable expertise from the luxury hospitality sector.
Mandarin Oriental’s return to WTTC, after previously being a member for over 25 years, reinforces its commitment to the global Travel & Tourism sector and reflects a shared ambition to help shape the future of the industry through closer collaboration and leadership within WTTC’s global community. Mandarin Oriental currently operates 47 hotels, 16 residences and 43 exclusive homes across 30 countries and territories, with ambitious plans to expand to 100 hotels worldwide by 2033.
Founded in 1961, Four Seasons has spent 65 years redefining luxury hospitality through a relentless focus on service excellence, innovation and personalised guest experiences. From its first hotel in Toronto, Canada to 140 hotels and more than 60 residential properties in 47 countries today, the company has grown into a global luxury hospitality leader.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, added: “Welcoming 50 new members in a single year is a powerful vote of confidence in both our sector and WTTC. We are delighted to welcome this exceptional group of sector leaders, including Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Meliá Hotels International, Barceló Hotel Group, Uber, Corinthia Group, Grupo Piñero, and many others from across the globe. Their insights and leadership will be invaluable as we shape together the future of Travel & Tourism.”
Laurent Kleitman, Mandarin Oriental Group Chief Executive, said: “The World Travel and Tourism Council has a unique ability to connect people, cultures and communities. As Mandarin Oriental enters an exciting new chapter of global growth, we are delighted to rejoin WTTC’s Executive Committee and contribute to shaping the future of our industry. We share a commitment to responsible growth, meaningful collaboration and creating lasting value for the destinations and communities in which we operate. Above all, we believe the future of luxury hospitality lies in exceptional experiences that foster human connections.”
Alejandro Reynal, Four Seasons President and CEO, said: “At Four Seasons, we have always believed that exceptional hospitality starts with people and is strengthened through service, authentic experiences, and a long-term commitment to the communities and destinations we serve. As our industry continues to evolve, we are honored to join the World Travel & Tourism Council to advance innovation and strengthen the long-term resilience of the global travel and tourism industry.”
The surge in membership comes as Travel & Tourism continues to grow faster than ever, with WTTC research forecasting the sector will contribute US$11.9 trillion to the global economy in 2026, accounting for 9.9% of global GDP and supporting 375 million jobs worldwide, equivalent to one in every nine jobs.
As the sector continues to grow, WTTC’s global team reflects the diversity and international nature of Travel & Tourism, bringing together professionals from 22 nationalities across every region of the world.
