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With Okorie Uguru
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has concluded its first-ever Recovery and Leadership Cruise event aboard Crystal Serenity by Crystal Cruises, making history with a landmark gathering of global travel and tourism leaders during transit through the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most strategically important trading corridors.
Former Presidents, Ministers, CEOs, investors and international policymakers gathered at a defining moment for the sector.
Hosted by the Egyptian Government and sponsored by the Antonio Lefebvre Foundation, Coral Travel Group, Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie and Kent, the three-day programme brought together some of the most influential figures in global travel and tourism, including WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara, the Minister for Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt Sherif Fathy, former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón, former President of Argentina Mauricio Macri and the former Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi.
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Attending government representatives included Nick Adams, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Tourism; Harris Whitbeck, the Tourism Minister of Guatemala as well as private sector leaders including 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; Enrique Ybarra, Founder and CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide; Richard Attias, Chairman of FII Institute Executive Committee, and the renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass.
Set against the backdrop of the Middle East’s continued recovery and renewed global confidence in the region, the WTTC Leadership Cruise served as the first major global platform dedicated to accelerating travel and tourism recovery through stronger public-private collaboration.
At a time of heightened geopolitical tension, the event sent a powerful message, that the Middle East remains open, resilient, and central to the future of global Travel & Tourism.
From strategic discussions on rebuilding connectivity, seamless cross-border travel, workforce and talent shortages, and destination stewardship, to high-level conversations on leadership during crisis and the future of high-value tourism, the programme focused on the critical actions required to move from recovery to sustained long-term growth.
The transit through the Suez Canal served as a powerful symbol of global connection and resilience, reflecting the sector’s shared commitment to rebuilding trust, restoring traveller confidence, and strengthening international cooperation.
