Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reaffirmed Egypt’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations as the country prepares to host a major global tourism leadership event organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). President El-Sisi met senior WTTC leaders and prominent international tourism executives at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo on Wednesday, which observers described as a strong indication of growing international confidence in its tourism sector, investment climate, and infrastructure development.
Egypt to Host Prestigious WTTC Leadership Gathering
A major outcome of the meeting was the announcement that Egypt will host the WTTC Global Tourism Leaders’ Leadership Journey, one of the organization’s most prominent international tourism gatherings. WTTC Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio confirmed that around 270 senior executives and representatives from leading travel and tourism companies worldwide are expected to attend the event. The gathering is expected to bring global attention to its tourism recovery efforts, investment opportunities, and a long-term vision for sustainable tourism development.
Focus on Sustainable Tourism Growth
The high-level meeting included discussions on strengthening cooperation between Egypt and the WTTC to support tourism growth, increase international tourism investment, and further develop Egypt’s hospitality and tourism infrastructure. According to Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, President El-Sisi emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration with the WTTC, which represents the global private travel and tourism industry.
The meeting was attended by several influential figures from the international tourism sector, including Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara, Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism Nick Adams, American Express Travel President Audrey Hendley, Arsenale Group Founder Paolo Barletta, and Coral Travel Group Chairman Ayhan Bektaş.
The Country Targets 30 Million Tourists Annually
Officials highlighted Egypt’s broader tourism development strategy, which aims to attract 30 million international tourists annually in the coming years. The government has continued investing heavily in airport expansion, transportation infrastructure, hospitality facilities, and heritage tourism projects as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global tourism market. Tourism remains one of Egypt’s key economic sectors, contributing significantly to employment generation and foreign currency earnings.
Growing International Confidence in Egypt
WTTC Chairman Lefebvre praised its tourism potential and President El-Sisi’s commitment to revitalizing the sector. Following the meeting, Lefebvre said discussions focused on strategies to enhance its global tourism appeal through innovation, international cooperation, and sustainable tourism practices.
He noted that its rich cultural heritage, archaeological treasures, and diverse tourism experiences position the country as one of the world’s most attractive travel destinations. Lefebvre also emphasized the importance of partnerships between governments and global tourism stakeholders in promoting long-term tourism growth.
The Global Tourism Hub
Tourism analysts say Egypt’s decision to host high-profile international tourism gatherings reflects its growing efforts to position itself as a regional and global tourism hub. The WTTC leadership event is expected to strengthen its international tourism profile further while showcasing the country’s readiness to host large-scale global tourism and business events. Officials indicated that Egypt aims to continue attracting more international conferences, tourism summits, and global travel industry events as part of its broader tourism expansion strategy.
