The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has welcomed 50 new members so far in 2026, bringing together more organisations from across the global travel and tourism industry. The new members represent several sectors, including hospitality, mobility, travel retail, investment and insurance.
The latest additions include major names such as Corinthia Group, Club Med, Investindustrial, Allianz Partners and Pernod Ricard. Eight organisations have also returned to the council, among them Uber, Barceló Hotel Group, Meliá Hotels International and Avolta.
Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Join Executive Committee
Two major luxury hospitality groups, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, have taken seats on WTTC’s Executive Committee.
Mandarin Oriental, which previously belonged to the organisation for more than 25 years, currently operates 47 hotels, 16 residences and 43 exclusive homes across 30 countries and territories. The group has set a target of expanding to 100 hotels worldwide by 2033.
Four Seasons, founded in 1961, has grown to operate 140 hotels and more than 60 residential properties across 47 countries.
Global Tourism Expected to Contribute $11.9 Trillion
The expansion in WTTC membership comes as the global travel and tourism sector is forecast to make a major contribution to the world economy.
According to WTTC research, the industry is expected to contribute US$11.9 trillion to the global economy in 2026, equivalent to 9.9% of global GDP. The sector is also projected to support around 375 million jobs worldwide, representing approximately one in every nine jobs.
Wider Industry Participation
The addition of companies from different parts of the travel ecosystem reflects the growing role of collaboration across hospitality, transportation, insurance and other related businesses.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara described the arrival of 50 new members in a single year as a strong sign of confidence in the travel and tourism sector. The council aims to bring industry leaders together to discuss growth, innovation and the future direction of global travel.
