Jean-Claude Baumgarten President and CEO World Travel & Tourism Council London

Wharton Speaker >> Biography

Born in Strasbourg in May 1942, Jean-Claude Baumgarten graduated from the French business school, l’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales.  On graduating, he assumed the position of Vice President for Becco (the French confectioners) and was then later responsible for sales of US mutual funds in Africa.

In 1970, Jean-Claude joined Air France as assistant Regional Manager in Los Angeles and New York and was appointed Regional Manager in Osaka for West Japan in 1974.  He became Regional Manager for Thailand and Burma, as well as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, in 1978.  Jean-Claude was appointed to the position of General Manager for Japan in 1982 and was at the same time Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In September 1986, Jean-Claude became Vice President and General Manager for the United States, where he was responsible for all the company’s activities throughout the USA, as well as in the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and French Polynesia.  In June 1990 he was appointed Vice President and General Manager for France. 

From June 1992 to August 1993 Jean-Claude was Executive Vice President for GMF, a leading French insurance company.  He returned to Air France in September 1993 as Vice President for the Americas and Asia.

In November 1993 he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations and a Member of the Executive and Strategic Committee.  He also represented the company on the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Executive Committee of the Association of European Airlines (AEA).  In February 1996 he became Executive Vice President of Corporate, International & Industry Affairs.  From December 1997 until July 1998, prior to leaving Air France, he held the position of Advisor to the Chairman.

After his departure, Jean-Claude established a company in New York with American investors under the name of CREWE Associates. This involved consultancy work and start-up advice for new businesses.

 In October 1999 he was appointed President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Jean-Claude Baumgarten has received many awards for his achievements and contribution to air transport and tourism. He is a Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, as well as an Officier de l’Ordre National du Merite and a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres.  He is advisor in Foreign Trade to both the French Government and the Chairman of the Tourism Commission. He was presented with the Gold Medal for Tourism by the Portuguese Government in 2004 and 2008 and the Anita Garibaldi Gold Medal by the Government of Santa Catarina in 2009.