Suez Canal summit: global tourism holds its breath

By David del Valle

Published on

19/05/2026 - 8:43 GMT+2

Situated 3,700 kilometres from the epicentre of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, another of the great strategic arteries of world trade has become the stage where global tourism seeks answers to uncertainty, on the eve of the peak season.

For three days, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has brought together 300 public and private sector leaders on a luxury Suez Canal cruise ship to discuss leadership and global recovery in the face of what many are calling a perfect storm for the summer: fuel shortages, more expensive tickets, fewer flights and a connectivity crisis.