Suez canal: The Suez Canal hosted the 2026 Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in Egypt aboard the transiting cruise ship Crystal Serenity. The summit, themed 'A Leadership Journey for Global Tourism Leaders: Recovery, Leadership, and Transformation Prospects for the Travel and Tourism Sector in the Next Decade,' gathered WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, international tourism and travel industry leaders, ministers, decision-makers, company executives, and representatives of Egypt's public and private tourism sectors.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Admiral Osama Rabie stated that the selection of the canal as a key stop during the WTTC leadership journey underscores its growing role in supporting global tourism and international trade while ensuring the smooth flow of global supply chains. Rabie noted that hosting the summit aboard a cruise vessel transiting the canal indicates confidence in the canal's capability to accommodate all types of cruise ships. This confidence stems from the authority's introduction of new maritime services, ongoing navigation channel development projects, and flexible marketing policies aimed at attracting passenger vessels and encouraging stops at Egyptian ports.
Rabie also pointed out the authority's efforts to improve maritime tourism infrastructure, such as the development of the Ismailia Yacht Marina into Egypt's first sustainable model marina for yacht tourism, aligning with environmental standards and the authority's green transformation strategy.
WTTC Chairman Lefebvre d'Ovidio praised Egypt as an excellent global tourism destination due to its cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and hospitality. He extended an invitation to international travelers to explore the country. Following a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, d'Ovidio lauded the president's strategic vision, which has led to significant progress, especially in infrastructure development.
d'Ovidio expressed his admiration for the canal, which motivated the decision to host the summit aboard a cruise ship traversing the waterway, highlighting its importance as a critical link between Europe and Asia and as an impressive engineering feat.
Captain Berger G. Forland of the Crystal Serenity commended the Suez Canal Authority's efforts to enhance transit services and navigation safety. He noted that the expansion of dual-lane sections and widening projects has facilitated the passage of large ships. The Crystal Serenity, under the Crystal Cruises brand, flies the Bahamas flag and measures 250 meters in length and 34 meters in width.