WTTC paid tribute on Wednesday (12 May) to former Mexican tourism secretary Guevara, who it said had led the council through a "transformative agenda" since joining and taking up the top role in August 2017, and latterly the global Covid crisis.
"Guevara was the strong voice leading the global travel and tourism sector through the most difficult year in history, and has helped unite the sector and define the path for the recovery," said the WTTC.
Simpson will take over from 15 August bringing extensive travel and tourism experience to the role, having served on the boards of British Airways and Iberia, and latterly as chief of staff at IAG. She has previously worked at senior levels in the UK government, including as an advisor to the prime minister.
President and chief executive of Carnival Corporation Arnold Donald, recently appointed chair of the WTTC, paid tribute to Guevara’s "immeasurable" contribution to efforts to unite the sector during the Covid crisis, while providing a clear voice and direction on the safe resumption of international travel.
Guevara said it was with a heavy heart she left the council. "I am very proud to have led this diverse and talented team, to have worked with so many amazing industry leaders, and built strong relationships with government heads of tourism around the world.
"I leave WTTC after completing my mandate, in a stronger position as the voice of the private sector and the leader of the global agenda. I know that under Julia’s solid leadership, WTTC will continue to build on this legacy and lead it into its next chapter, championing the entire global travel and tourism sector to its recovery”.
Donald also welcomed Simpson to her role, describing her as an exceptional leader who would take the reins at the council at a "critical juncture" for travel.
Simpson added: “It will be a great privilege to lead WTTC as it emerges from the worst crisis in our history. Travel and tourism plays a critical role to our economies across the globe, accounting for 330 million jobs in 2019. In many communities it is the backbone of family-run businesses that have been left devastated.
"The travel and tourism sector has shown real leadership in ‘reopening’ the world safely and securely, and I look forward to shaping and driving the sector’s ambitious agenda to achieve long-term sustainable and inclusive growth.”
