LONG-SERVING FORMER KENYA CABINET MINISTER, HON. NAJIB BALALA, APPOINTED TO LEAD GLOBAL ADVOCACY, GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC POLICY RESEARCH AT THE WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL (WTTC)
Madrid, Spain (1st May 2026): The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global private-sector voice of the travel and tourism industry, has announced the appointment of the highly respected former Kenyan Cabinet Minister, Hon. Najib Balala, to its senior leadership team in a strategic global role focused on advocacy, government engagement, and policy research.
Based at WTTC’s global headquarters in Madrid, Hon. Najib Balala has assumed the position of Executive Vice-President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research. In this capacity, he will lead the organisation’s global engagement strategy with governments, international institutions, and private sector stakeholders. His office will function as a central coordination hub for policy dialogue, tourism development frameworks, and data-driven research designed to support sustainable growth across the global travel and tourism industry.
This appointment places Mr. Balala at the heart of WTTC’s global policy and advocacy architecture, where his experience will be used to strengthen collaboration between governments and the private sector. His role is expected to enhance WTTC’s position as a global solutions platform for tourism-related policy challenges, investment facilitation, and industry resilience strategies.
Hon. Najib Balala brings with him more than two decades of high-level leadership experience in public service and international tourism development. He served for over 12 years as Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, where he played a transformative role in shaping national tourism policy and elevating Kenya’s profile as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations. During his tenure, he was widely recognised for strengthening institutional frameworks, improving investor confidence, and building stronger cooperation between government agencies and private sector operators.
His leadership style was defined by an inclusive, open-door approach that actively encouraged engagement with industry stakeholders, international partners, and development institutions. This approach helped create a more responsive and investment-friendly tourism ecosystem in Kenya, while also positioning the country as a model for tourism governance in the region.
During periods of global crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Balala played a central role in steering Kenya’s tourism recovery strategy. Under his leadership, the country introduced innovative health and safety protocols that restored confidence in the sector. Kenya subsequently became the first country in the world to be awarded the “Safer Tourism Seal,” a recognition of its proactive measures in safeguarding travellers and industry workers while maintaining operational continuity in the tourism sector.
Beyond crisis management, his tenure is also marked by long-term structural reforms and destination branding initiatives that strengthened Kenya’s global tourism identity. His efforts in strategic diplomacy and international cooperation enabled stronger alignment between government policy objectives and private sector growth ambitions, contributing to increased tourism investment and enhanced global competitiveness.
In his new role at WTTC, Hon. Najib Balala will report directly to WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara and will work closely with WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre and the broader leadership team. His mandate will include driving global tourism advocacy initiatives, strengthening government engagement across regions, and leading research programmes that support evidence-based decision-making in the travel and tourism sector.
He will also focus on advancing sustainable tourism policies, supporting economic recovery initiatives in emerging and developed markets, and fostering stronger collaboration between public institutions and private industry leaders. His leadership is expected to enhance WTTC’s ability to serve as a trusted advisory and coordination platform for governments seeking practical, scalable solutions to tourism development challenges.
Speaking on his appointment, Hon. Najib Balala expressed his commitment to strengthening global cooperation in the sector. He stated that it is an honour to join WTTC in a role that allows him to continue bridging the gap between public policy and private sector development. He emphasized his intention to contribute his experience in government reform and international tourism strategy to support WTTC’s mission of driving sustainable and inclusive growth across the global tourism ecosystem.
WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara welcomed the appointment, highlighting Mr. Balala’s extensive experience at the highest levels of government and his proven leadership in global tourism policy. She noted that his expertise will significantly strengthen WTTC’s advocacy capacity and deepen its engagement with governments and industry stakeholders worldwide. She further emphasized that WTTC continues to expand its global influence as more members join and former members return, reinforcing its position as a leading authority in the travel and tourism sector.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global private-sector leadership of the travel and tourism industry. Its membership includes Chairpersons, Presidents, and Chief Executives of the world’s leading airlines, hotel groups, cruise lines, tour operators, technology companies, and related travel service providers.
For more than three decades, WTTC has played a leading role in demonstrating the economic and social value of travel and tourism worldwide. Through rigorous research and data-driven analysis, the organisation quantifies the sector’s contribution to global GDP, employment, exports, and investment flows, while also shaping policies that promote sustainable growth and international cooperation.
WTTC continues to work closely with governments and international institutions to support long-term recovery, resilience, and transformation of the global travel and tourism industry, ensuring it remains a key driver of economic opportunity and global connectivity.
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For media enquiries: WTTC Communications Team | WTTC @ pc.agency
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- 6 May, 2026
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