The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA®) has announced the appointment of Virginia Messina as Group Chief Executive Officer, marking an important step in the organisation’s evolution and global influence.
Virginia joins ATTA following a distinguished career at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), where she most recently served as Executive Vice President and previously as Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Communications. In those roles she represented the global travel and tourism private sector at the highest levels of government and international institutions, helping shape policy dialogue on tourism, sustainability, economic development and global mobility.
Earlier in her career, Virginia also held senior positions within the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico, where she worked closely with governments and industry leaders to consolidate Mexico as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
Her appointment comes at a time when African tourism is experiencing renewed global interest and opportunity.
James Haigh, Chair of ATTA said: “Virginia’s appointment is a deliberate strategic move to complement and strengthen the existing management team as the organisation positions itself for its next phase of growth. As African tourism enters a period of renewed global interest and opportunity, her international experience, policy expertise and extensive global network add a critical dimension to the team’s capabilities. This balance of skills will not only enhance strategic decision-making, but also ensure the association is wonderfully placed to elevate its influence, firmly establishing ATTA as the authentic voice of African hospitality while representing the industry at the highest levels.”
Speaking about the appointment, Virginia Messina said: “I am thrilled to be joining ATTA as Group CEO at such a dynamic time for African tourism. Travel & Tourism contributes more than $220 billion to the African economies and is on track to exceed 10% of the continent’s GDP by 2030. Africa is brimming with untold stories, powered by a young population and some of the fastest growing destinations which brings immense opportunity for the sector.
I look forward to working with the Board, the leadership team and the ATTA members and community to unlock this potential and ensure the voice of Africa is a leading force in shaping the future of global travel.”
Virginia will work closely with ATTA’s leadership team and Board to expand the association’s international engagement, strengthen its policy and advocacy role, and continue building on the success of its industry-leading events and initiatives.
For ATTA members, the appointment signals a clear commitment to ensuring the association remains a powerful voice for African tourism globally while continuing to deliver the partnerships, connections and opportunities that support the growth of its members.
