Born in Strasbourg in May 1942, Jean-Claude Baumgarten graduated from the French business school, Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales. He held the position of Vice President for Becco (the French confectioners) and was responsible for mutual funds in Africa.

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

In September 1986, Mr Baumgarten became Vice President and General Manager for the United States where he was responsible for the entire activities of the company throughout the USA, as well as in the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and French Polynesia. In June 1990 he was appointed Vice President for the Americas and Asia.

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

In November 1993 Jean-Claude was promoted to Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations and Member of the Executive and Strategic Committee. He also represented the company on the Board of Governors of IATA and the Executive Committee of the AEA. In February 1996 he became Executive Vice President of Corporate, International & Industrial Affairs. From December 1997 until July 1998, prior to leaving Air France, Jean-Claude held the position of advisor to the Chairman.

After his departure, he established a company 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 of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Mr Jean-Claude Baumgarten is both 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 Turismo do Algarve in 2003.

In March 2007 Mr Jean-Claude Baumgarten has received the ISHC Pioneer Award for his contributions to the Travel & Tourism industry.