New CEO of the World Tourism Organization Affiliate Members named

Mr. Antonio de la Morena was recently appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the WTO Affiliate Members by the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Mr. Francesco Frangialli.

Mr. Morena has already taken up his post of managing the WTO organ, which represents interests of the private sector (WTO Business Council), education and human resources (Educational Council) and the Task Force for Destinations. He replaced Mr. José Antonio Ferreiro, who retired last year.

According to an agreement between the WTO and the Spanish Government, the post of the CEO of WTO AM is occupied by a Spanish national, on proposal of the relevant Spanish authorities. Before joining the WTO Mr. de la Morena served as vice-director of tourism promotion at the Spanish Secretariat of State of Commerce and Tourism. Previously he was director of the Spanish Tourist Offices in Paris, London and The Hague. Before that he was occupying influential posts in the ministries of tourism and public administration and was Director General of Tourism of Andalusia.

At the 15th Session of the General Assembly in Beijing last October, WTO Affiliate Members elected Mr. André Vallerand as their new chairman, thus the secretariat of this important WTO body is now complete. Affiliate membership comprises a wide range of organizations and companies working directly in travel, tourism and related sectors. These may include: airlines and other transport, hotels and restaurants, tour operators and travel agents, educational institutions, banking institutions, insurance companies, travel assistance, publishing groups, etc. WTO currently has some 350 Affiliate Members.

WTO is the only intergovernmental organization that offers membership to the operational sector and in this way offers a unique contact point for discussion between government officials and industry leaders.