The gathering comes at a time marked by geopolitical and economic challenges that continue to affect international tourism flows. Despite this, the WTTC believes the industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, particularly through cooperation between the public and private sectors. During the working sessions, discussions will focus on air connectivity, infrastructure modernization, sustainability, labor shortages in the sector, and the facilitation of international travel.
The Suez Canal was chosen as the venue for this forum because of its historical and economic significance. For decades, this maritime route has connected Asia, Africa, and Europe, making it one of the main arteries of global trade. For the organizers, holding the event in this location sends a message of confidence and stability in a region seeking to strengthen its role within international tourism.
One of the central themes of the meeting will be the evolution of tourism in Egypt, a country that has experienced significant growth in visitor numbers and tourism revenue in recent years. According to figures released during the opening ceremony, the tourism sector contributed more than 34 billion dollars to the Egyptian economy in 2025 and reached a record figure close to 19 million international tourists. These numbers reinforce Egypt’s position as one of the destinations with the strongest growth potential in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions.
The Egyptian government has intensified its commitment to tourism through major infrastructure projects. These include expanding hotel capacity, developing new high-speed rail connections, and modernizing strategic airports. Added to this is the recent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, one of the country’s largest cultural investments, housing thousands of archaeological pieces and aiming to become a new engine for international tourism.
WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara highlighted during the opening session that tourism remains one of the economic sectors with the greatest capacity to recover from global crises. She emphasized that the current objective is not only to sustain growth, but also to build a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable industry for the long term. In this regard, she stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between governments and businesses to ensure the competitiveness of tourism destinations.
Meanwhile, WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre stated that the event represents an opportunity to create new international partnerships and exchange experiences regarding the challenges facing global tourism. He also pointed out that the sector has the responsibility to promote a model based on economic stability, innovation, and responsible destination management.
The program includes several roundtable discussions and strategic sessions focused on the global recovery of tourism, the impact of international tensions on travel, digital transformation, and emerging mobility trends. Discussions will also address the growth of high-value tourism and the need to ensure a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.
The hosting of this meeting confirms Egypt’s growing prominence on the international tourism map and reflects the determination of major industry players to accelerate the recovery of a sector that remains one of the world’s leading economic drivers. For the WTTC, the challenge in the coming years will be to consolidate a tourism industry that is better prepared for future crises and capable of responding to the evolving demands of international travelers.
