LONG SERVING FORMER KENYA Cabinet Minister, HON. NAJIB BALALA, APPOINTED TO WTTC | News
The highly experienced former Kenyan Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Najib Balala has been appointed to the Leadership Team of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global private sector voice within the industry.
From WTTC’s global office in Madrid, Mr. Balala has started in a new role as Executive Vice President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research. He will lead WTTC’s global advocacy agenda, government engagement and policy research.
Mr. Balala has significant experience in the public and private sectors on the global stage. As former Minister of Tourism and Conservation for Kenya, he has shaped national and international tourism policy for over twelve years and contributed to strengthening the working environment around the world for the growth of the sector.
Mr Balala’s many achievements include his highly successful career as Cabinet Minister for Tourism and Wildlife in Kenya, leading a highly resilient department in times of crisis and political turmoil. His open-door policy towards the private sector has been praised by many in the sector across Kenya.
During the Covid pandemic, he led the tourism sector through policy and strategic changes, making Kenya the first country in the world to be awarded the ‘Safer Tourism Seal’ in recognition of the health and safety measures in place.
His leadership drove the transformation of Kenya’s tourism sector through progressive policy frameworks and impactful destination branding, while his strong record of strategic diplomacy enabled him to effectively bridge government priorities with private sector ambitions on international platforms.
In his new role, Najib Balala will report to WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara.
Commenting on his appointment, Najib Balala said: “It is an honor and privilege to be selected by WTTC for this role and I look forward to working with the visionary WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre and President & CEO Gloria Guevara. I will bring my experience in bridging the private and public sectors to WTTC’s overall strategic roadmap and ensure it maintains strong relationships with all stakeholders in government and beyond.”
Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC, added: “Najib Balala’s substantial experience as a Cabinet minister on the world stage will help WTTC grow our industry even further. We see many new members joining us and old members returning as we continue to build one of the best travel and tourism teams in the world, providing world-class advocacy and support to the industry.”
