The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that 50 new members have joined the organisation so far in 2026, reflecting growing industry engagement across the global travel and tourism sector. The new members represent a broad range of businesses, including mobility, hospitality, travel retail, investment and insurance. Among the prominent additions are Corinthia Group, Club Med, Investindustrial, Allianz Partners and Pernod Ricard. Eight organisations have also returned to the council, including Uber, Barceló Hotel Group, Meliá Hotels International and Avolta.
Two leading luxury hospitality groups, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, have also joined WTTC’s Executive Committee, bringing additional expertise from the luxury hotel sector to the organisation’s global leadership. Mandarin Oriental’s return follows more than 25 years of previous membership and reflects its commitment to contributing to the future of the travel and tourism industry. The group currently operates 47 hotels, 16 residences and 43 exclusive homes across 30 countries and territories, with plans to expand its portfolio to 100 hotels worldwide by 2033.
Founded in 1961, Four Seasons has established itself as a global luxury hospitality brand through its focus on service, innovation and personalised guest experiences. From its first hotel in Toronto, Canada, the company has expanded to operate 140 hotels and more than 60 residential properties across 47 countries. Its participation in WTTC’s Executive Committee is expected to contribute perspectives on luxury hospitality, service standards and the evolving expectations of global travellers.
Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC, said the addition of 50 members in a single year reflected confidence in both the tourism sector and the organisation. She welcomed the new members, including Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Meliá Hotels International, Barceló Hotel Group, Uber, Corinthia Group and Grupo Piñero, noting that their industry experience and leadership would support WTTC’s efforts to shape the future of travel and tourism.
Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental, said the council provides a platform to connect people, cultures and communities. He highlighted the group’s commitment to responsible growth, collaboration and creating long-term value for destinations and communities. Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO of Four Seasons, said the company’s participation would support efforts to advance innovation and strengthen the long-term resilience of the global tourism industry, with a continued focus on people, authentic experiences and community engagement.
The membership expansion comes amid strong growth projections for the global travel and tourism sector. WTTC research forecasts that the industry will contribute USD 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. Reflecting the sector’s international reach, WTTC’s global team comprises professionals from 22 nationalities across every region, reinforcing its focus on collaboration and representation across the industry.