ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Hospitality Management Student Elva Gonzalez Takes the Global Stage at WTTC Summit
When Elva Gonzalez walked into the Cal Travel Summit in Napa Valley, she had no idea that a single conversation would send her halfway around the world. The Hospitality Management student studying in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ would soon find herself in Malta, seated among 60 prime ministers and 200 of the world's most influential tourism leaders — one of only four U.S. students selected to attend the prestigious World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit.
A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything
It all began in Napa Valley, where Elva attended a Cal Travel Summit scholarship event and crossed paths with Dr. Paige Viren, Executive Director of the Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at CSU Monterey Bay. That meeting would prove to be a pivotal turning point.
After returning from Napa, Dr. Viren reached out with an extraordinary opportunity: the chance to represent the United States at the WTTC Global Summit in Malta — all expenses covered, including flights, hotels, and excursions. Elva was one of just four American students chosen for the honor.
"I didn't even know about the WTTC before Napa," Elva reflected. "And suddenly I was being nominated to go to Malta. It was surreal."
On the World Stage: AI, Sustainability, and the Future of Tourism
The summit was nothing short of extraordinary. Elva found herself immersed in high-level conversations about the future of global tourism — from artificial intelligence and airport efficiency to sustainability and the looming workforce crisis. Industry experts at the event highlighted a projected shortage of 8 million tourism jobs by 2035, a statistic that resonated deeply with her academic work.
"Being in a room with prime ministers and CEOs — it was eye-opening," she said. "We talked about AI, about making airports more efficient, about how tourism can be more sustainable. These weren't just abstract ideas. They are real challenges that need real solutions."
Among the leaders she encountered was the CEO of Hertz, and discussions ranged well beyond traditional hospitality, touching on emerging areas like longevity tourism and spa services — a glimpse into where the industry is heading.
Turning a Kitchen Idea Into a Global Conversation
Perhaps the most remarkable part of Elva's Malta experience was what she brought to the table — literally. Drawing from her work at a local golf country club, she presented a sustainability project centered on a water-saving solution she had personally implemented at her job in the kitchen. The project was part of a broader initiative involving 100 students working to make tourism more sustainable.
"I had this idea about reducing water usage at work, and I thought — why not share it?" she explained. "Young people have these small, practical solutions. What if we created a network where we could share and actually implement them across the industry?"
Her proposal: a Sustainable Tourism Innovation Network connecting young hospitality students and professionals worldwide to collaborate on grassroots sustainability solutions. It's the kind of thinking that distinguished her among her international peers at the summit.
A Non-Traditional Path to an Extraordinary Destination
Elva's journey to Malta — and to ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ — is anything but conventional. With years of experience in the restaurant industry and a chapter of her life spent living in Mexico, she made the bold decision to pursue her degree at 33, supported by a scholarship from her employer.
"I've worked in restaurants my whole life," she said with a laugh. "I know this industry from the ground up. That experience actually helped me connect with the leaders I met in Malta. I wasn't just a student — I had something real to contribute."
She also connected with students from France, Vienna, and Spain at the summit, engaging in rich conversations about cultural differences — including the surprising contrast in how sports are integrated into custom and culture.
What Comes Next: DMOs and a December Graduation
With graduation on the horizon this December, Elva is already charting her next move. The summit sparked a new passion: Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs).
"I didn't know what a DMO was before Malta," she admitted. "Now it's exactly where I want to be. It's about telling a place's story and bringing people in — that's storytelling, that's hospitality, that's everything I love."
Gratitude for the People Who Got Her Here
Elva is quick to credit the mentors and faculty who helped shape her path. She spoke warmly of Professor Brianna Koster at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ, whose advocacy helped her secure multiple scholarships and navigate academic challenges. She also highlighted Dr. Libby Gustin’s sustainability classes — the very knowledge she brought with her to the global stage in Malta.
"Professor Koster has been incredible," Elva said. "She believes in her students. And Dr. Libby's sustainability class — I actually used what I learned there at the summit. That's what great teaching does. It travels with you."
