The three-day programme was hosted by the Egyptian Government and sponsored by the Antonio Lefebvre Foundation, Coral Travel Group, Crystal Cruises, and Abercrombie & Kent.
The event gathered ministers, former heads of state, tourism executives, investors, and policymakers to discuss the future of global travel and tourism recovery.
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Participants included WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara, Egypt’s Minister for Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón, former President of Argentina Mauricio Macri, and former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Government representatives attending the programme included Nick Adams, US Special Presidential Envoy for Tourism, and Harris Whitbeck, Tourism Minister of Guatemala.
Private sector participants included Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel; Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, Head of Policy at Chase Travel; Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company; Frank Marini, President and CEO of Railbookers; and Enrique Ybarra, Founder and CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide.
The event focused on tourism recovery, public-private sector cooperation, connectivity, workforce shortages, destination stewardship, and the future of high-value tourism.
According to WTTC, the programme aimed to strengthen collaboration between governments and the private sector during a period of geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing recovery across the Middle East.
Sessions involving Ahmad Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, and Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass highlighted Egypt’s tourism strategy and the role of cultural heritage in long-term tourism development.
The transit through the Suez Canal was presented as a symbol of international connectivity and sector resilience.
Gloria Guevara said: “This event was created to bring global leaders together at a pivotal moment for Travel & Tourism. As we said from the outset, rebuilding trust and confidence requires strong coordination between governments and the private sector. Over these three days, leaders from across the world came together not only to discuss recovery but to define the actions needed to deliver it. This historic first Leadership Cruise marks an important milestone for WTTC and for the Middle East, reinforcing the region’s role as a driver of global Travel & Tourism growth, resilience, and opportunity.”
Manfredi Lefebvre stated: “This first-ever WTTC Leadership Cruise represents far more than a historic gathering, it reflects our industry’s determination to move forward with confidence and clarity. Bringing global leaders together in Egypt, aboard Crystal Serenity and through the Suez Canal, sends a strong signal that Travel & Tourism remains one of the world’s most resilient sectors. Recovery requires leadership, partnership, and long-term vision, and this event demonstrated exactly that.”
Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, added: “It was an honour to participate in the WTTC Leadership Cruise and share Egypt’s vision for the future of tourism. Egypt is combining its extraordinary heritage with innovation, investment, and sustainable development to create diverse, world-class travel experiences.
Through strong public-private collaboration and a commitment to seamless connectivity and cultural preservation, we are positioning Egypt as the unmatched diversity leading global destination for the next generation of travellers. WTTC continues to play an important role in shaping a more resilient and
The organisation stated that the inaugural Leadership Cruise establishes a new platform for collaboration and long-term dialogue within the global travel and tourism secto
Tags: Egyptian Tourism Authority, WTTC
connected future for global tourism.”
According to WTTC, discussions throughout the programme focused on resilience, rebuilding trust, and restoring traveller confidence as central priorities for the future of global tourism