In a historic move reflecting Egypt's strategic vision to maximize its geographic and historical assets and activate the goals of its Sustainable Tourism Vision 2030, Cairo is hosting the Cruise Egypt Forum – Egypt's Maritime Tourism Conference for the first time, beginning June 1, 2025. The event boasted exceptional participation from global and regional cruise industry leaders, international officials, senior government representatives, economic institutions, and key players in the transport, tourism, and logistics sectors. The conference marks the beginning of a state-led national transformation to position Egypt as a central player in the global cruise industry.
The forum is being held under the patronage of His Excellency Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry. It also features high-level ministerial participation from the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, with the full support of the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities – Experience Egypt, the Maritime Transport Sector, the Suez Canal Authority, and the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority.
Mohamed Gamal, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Deputy CEO of GAC Egypt, stated: “The Cruise Egypt Forum is not just about showcasing opportunities. It is about restructuring the maritime tourism landscape in Egypt in line with changes in the global market. We are working to establish a modern operating model that leverages our port infrastructure, streamlines processes, and connects our tourist routes with active international networks. Our strategic vision is to position Egypt as a leading player on the global cruise map, not only as a destination but as a nation that offers a profoundly cultural and immersive experience, from arrival at the port to the heart of Egyptian identity. Our approach is grounded in competitiveness and creating real added value for the Egyptian economy through a sustainable tourism model that generates employment and strengthens Egypt’s role as a regional transit and tourism hub.”.
The Cruise Egypt Forum featured five high-level sessions outlining a comprehensive roadmap for restructuring Egypt’s cruise industry. These sessions addressed challenges and opportunities, presented successful international models, and explored possibilities for collaboration among global operators, port developers, and government authorities. The first session, titled “Unlocking the Potential of the Mediterranean and Red Sea,” featured leading experts from Orient Express, Silversea – Royal Caribbean Group, and Miray Cruises, and explored strategies for positioning Egypt’s coast as an integrated global cruise corridor. Another key session, “Promoting the Greater Arab Region,” presented experiences from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with representatives from Cruise Saudi, Abu Dhabi Ports, and Cruise ZAITON.
The forum also included a thought leadership session titled “Governance and Emerging Technologies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” led by Dr. Sally Osman, a global expert on cyber risk and former executive at the IMF, Aramco, and Amazon. The second day of the conference featured an in-depth discussion on designing successful cruise programs, with participation from Columbia Blu, Orient Express, and Miray Cruises. Other sessions addressed development plans and mechanisms to facilitate cruise ship entry, with input from the Suez Canal Authority, the Egyptian Maritime Transport Sector, and experts from Abu Dhabi Ports. The conference concluded with a future outlook session on opportunities, strategic partnerships, and initiatives, with participation from Oxford Economics, Ayan Consulting, Cruise ZAITON, and specialized media outlets.
To conclude the forum, participants were invited to a cultural experience that reflects the essence of what Egypt has to offer international cruise ship passengers. The program included an exclusive visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, a cultural tour of Islamic Cairo and Khan El-Khalili, followed by a formal dinner at the Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant. The experience offers a harmonious blend of past and present, heritage and innovation, and reinforces Egypt's identity as a comprehensive tourism destination—one that transcends being merely a port of call to become a preferred global cruise destination.
The Cruise Egypt Forum represents a strategic declaration of Egypt's entry into the global cruise industry, supported by a national vision, state sponsorship, and international collaboration that redefines the contours of the maritime tourism map.
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