Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Suez Canal has hosted the 2026 Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council aboard the luxury cruise ship Crystal Serenity, marking a rare fusion of global tourism leadership discussions with one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.
The summit, held under the theme “A Leadership Journey for Global Tourism Leaders: Recovery, Leadership, and Transformation Prospects for the Travel and Tourism Sector in the Next Decade,” brought together senior figures from the global tourism industry, including WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, alongside ministers, policymakers, executives, and representatives from both public and private tourism sectors in Egypt and abroad.
The decision to hold the summit aboard a cruise vessel transiting the Suez Canal added a symbolic dimension to the event, positioning the waterway not only as a global trade artery but also as a rising platform for maritime tourism experiences and international business diplomacy.
Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, said the selection of the canal as a key stop during the WTTC leadership journey reflects its growing role in connecting global tourism with international shipping and supply chains, while maintaining its position as one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
He emphasized that hosting the summit aboard a vessel navigating the canal demonstrates increasing international confidence in Egypt’s ability to accommodate modern cruise tourism operations, especially following extensive upgrades to navigation systems, maritime services, and port infrastructure.
Rabie added that the authority has been actively implementing development projects aimed at enhancing the canal’s appeal to passenger ships, including flexible operational policies designed to encourage cruise lines to integrate Egyptian ports into their regional routes.
A major highlight of these efforts is the transformation of Ismailia Yacht Marina, which Rabie described as Egypt’s first sustainable model marina for yacht tourism, developed in line with environmental standards and the Suez Canal Authority’s broader green transformation strategy.
The summit also placed a spotlight on Egypt’s long-term tourism ambitions, particularly its efforts to strengthen its position as a global destination for cultural, historical, and maritime tourism.
WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio praised Egypt’s tourism potential, pointing to its rich cultural heritage, iconic historical landmarks, and longstanding reputation for hospitality. He also extended an invitation to international travelers to explore the country, describing it as an ideal destination for global tourism.
During his visit, Lefebvre d’Ovidio also commended President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s strategic vision, highlighting what he described as significant progress in infrastructure development across Egypt in recent years.
He said his personal admiration for the Suez Canal played a key role in choosing it as the setting for the summit, describing it as both a vital global trade link between Europe and Asia and one of the most remarkable engineering achievements in modern history.
Captain Berger G. Forland, master of the Crystal Serenity, also praised the Suez Canal Authority for ongoing improvements in navigation safety and transit efficiency. He noted that expansion projects, including dual-lane sections and canal widening works, have significantly improved the passage of large cruise and cargo vessels.
The Crystal Serenity, operated under the Crystal Cruises brand and flying the Bahamas flag, measures 250 meters in length and 34 meters in width, and is considered one of the premium vessels in the global cruise tourism industry.
Against the backdrop of global tourism recovery efforts, the summit positioned the Suez Canal not only as a logistical lifeline for world trade but also as an emerging stage for high-level international tourism dialogue and maritime innovation.
