The second edition of the International Spanish-Egyptian Congress for Tourism, Hospitality, and Heritage (ISECT) took place from 4 to 6 February 2025 in Cairo, marking a significant advancement in the collaboration between Egypt and Spain within these pivotal sectors.
The event was organized by the Sinai Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotels in partnership with Spain’s Complutense University of Madrid, with the supervision and sponsorship of the Egyptian Ministries of Higher Education, Tourism, and Antiquities.
The congress was attended by an esteemed gathering of ministers, ambassadors, university presidents, deans of tourism and hospitality faculties, along with experts and professionals from Egypt and abroad. Among the speakers were 25 Egyptian specialists, 24 Spanish experts, and 41 international professionals, who presented on various topics under the overarching theme, “Time to Share Experiences.” This initiative underscored the growing spirit of academic and professional cooperation between Spain and Egypt in the realms of tourism, hospitality, and heritage.
Jose Manuel Alba Pastor, Director of the Cervantes Institute in Cairo, highlighted the critical role of language education in the tourism sector. He stressed that language proficiency, particularly in Spanish, plays a vital role in enriching the tourist experience and facilitating seamless cultural exchange between visitors and host countries. He also emphasized that offering accredited Spanish language programs could significantly enhance tourism, fostering deeper cultural understanding and bridging global communities.
“Tourism is one of the most effective tools for promoting cultural exchange and fostering global connections,” Pastor stated. He expressed the Cervantes Institute’s pride in sponsoring ISECT, alongside other prestigious local and international institutions. “Our collaborations are instrumental in promoting cultural proximity, thereby strengthening economies through the development of the tourism sector, one of its most critical pillars.”
The congress featured multiple sessions focused on strategies for enhancing the tourist experience, improving the operational efficiency of tourism institutions, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to innovate within the tourism and hospitality industries. These discussions were intended to address contemporary challenges and explore solutions aligned with global industry trends.
ISECT’s central objective is to foster deeper collaboration between Spanish and Egyptian academic and professional communities in tourism, hospitality, and heritage. The event served as an invaluable platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing groundbreaking research, and exploring innovative approaches in response to the global transformations within these sectors.
The Sinai Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotels, founded in 1993, is a leading educational institution in Egypt and the Middle East, having consistently produced well-trained professionals in tourism and hospitality. Meanwhile, the Complutense University of Madrid, established in 1499, is one of Spain’s most prestigious and historically significant institutions. Its Faculty of Commerce and Tourism has been an industry leader since 1971, providing a reference point for tourism education.
Through this ongoing collaboration between Egypt and Spain, the ISECT aims to enhance the global competitiveness of the tourism and hospitality sectors while simultaneously promoting mutual cultural appreciation and understanding between the two nations.
