Suez Canal hosted on Thursday the 2026 Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in Egypt aboard the transiting cruise ship Crystal Serenity.
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,” brings together WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio alongside international tourism and travel industry leaders, ministers, decision-makers, company executives, and representatives of Egypt’s public and private tourism sectors.
Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Admiral Osama Rabie said the selection of the canal as a key stop during the WTTC leadership journey reflects its increasing importance in supporting global tourism and international trade while ensuring the smooth flow of global supply chains.
Rabie added that hosting the summit aboard a cruise vessel transiting the canal demonstrates growing confidence in the canal’s readiness to receive all types of cruise ships, especially after the authority introduced new maritime services, continued navigation channel development projects, and adopted flexible marketing policies aimed at attracting passenger vessels and encouraging stops at Egyptian ports.
He also highlighted the authority’s efforts to enhance maritime tourism infrastructure, including the development of the Ismailia Yacht Marina into what he described as Egypt’s first sustainable model marina for yacht tourism, built in line with environmental standards and the authority’s green transformation strategy.
For his part, Lefebvre d’Ovidio described Egypt as an ideal global tourism destination, citing its cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and hospitality, while inviting international travellers to visit the country.
He also praised President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi following their meeting on Wednesday for an ambitious strategic vision that has achieved significant progress, particularly in infrastructure development.
d’Ovidio said his admiration for the canal motivated him to host the summit aboard a cruise ship crossing the waterway, emphasizing its significance as a vital link between Europe and Asia and as a remarkable engineering achievement.
Captain Berger G. Forland of the vessel praised the Suez Canal Authority’s efforts to improve transit services and navigation safety, noting that the expansion of dual-lane sections and widening projects has facilitated the passage of giant ships.
The Crystal Serenity sails under the Crystal Cruises brand and flies the Bahamas flag. The vessel is 250 metres long and 34 meters wide.
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