WTTC to convene travel leaders in Egypt for industry recovery talks

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) will bring together global leaders in Egypt for a leadership event focused on accelerating travel recovery amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Hosted in partnership with the Egyptian government, the three-day programme will take place in early May 2026 aboard the Crystal Serenity as it transits the Suez Canal, bringing together CEOs, ministers and policymakers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Europe and Latin America. 

The event is positioned as a platform to align public and private sector priorities at a time of continued pressure on global travel flows. Roundtable discussions will focus on recovery policy, workforce shortages, high-value tourism and destination management, alongside select sessions highlighting Egypt’s long-term tourism and investment strategy.

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Manfredi Lefebvre, WTTC Chairman, said: “Hosting this event aboard the Crystal Serenity reflects our unwavering belief in the resilience of travel and tourism and underscores the vital importance of sustained partnership and investment in shaping the future of our sector.”

The event comes as the Iran war, which began on 28 February 2026, has disrupted global travel, with the greatest impact seen in the Middle East. Recent estimates by the WTTC show potential losses of up to US$600 million per day for the region’s travel sector. 

However, the council believes a quick recovery is possible, with WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara citing analysis of past crises, saying that tourism can rebound in some cases in as little as two months with coordinated action between governments and industry.

For more information, visit wttc.org