Jose Manuel Alba Pastor, the director of the Cervantes Institute in Cairo
The ISECT, held in Cairo, was organized by the Sinai High Institute for Tourism and Hotels in collaboration with Spain’s Complutense University of Madrid.
The Egyptian Ministries of Higher Education and Tourism and Antiquities have supervised and sponsored the congress organization.
The event was attended by ministers, ambassadors, university presidents, deans of tourism and hotel faculties, and specialists and enthusiasts from Egypt and abroad.
It featured diverse speakers, including 25 Egyptian specialists, 24 Spanish experts, and 41 professionals from other countries.
Their presentations, under the theme "Time to Share Experiences," covered a wide range of topics, underscoring the spirit of cooperation between the academic communities of Spain and Egypt.
At the ISECT, Jose Manuel Alba Pastor, director of the Cervantes Institute in Cairo, highlighted language education's critical role for tourism industry professionals.
He emphasized that learning languages enhances tourists' experiences and is a vital bridge for conveying information and culture between the host country and its visitors.
Moreover, he pointed out that offering Spanish language programmes and providing learners with accredited certifications could positively impact tourism and enhance cultural understanding.
"Tourism is one of the most effective ways to enhance cultural exchange and bring people closer together," Pastor said.
"The Cervantes Institute is proud to collaborate with local and international institutions that support cultural proximity activities, particularly in tourism. We were delighted to sponsor the ISECT alongside many prominent Egyptian and international institutions," he added.
"These initiatives foster cultural closeness and, of course, contribute to strengthening national economies by developing one of their most significant pillars: tourism.”
Pastor also highlighted that such conferences provide an opportunity to discuss the latest developments and scientific research in tourism and hospitality, fostering academic and professional collaboration among experts and enthusiasts in local and global contexts.
"This conference [...] included sessions on mechanisms and measures to improve tourists' experiences, enhance the operational efficiency of tourism institutions, and apply artificial intelligence in tourism and hospitality," he revealed.
The ISECT's primary objective is to foster collaboration between Spanish and Egyptian academics and professionals in tourism, hospitality, and heritage.
The event aims to provide a platform for exchanging knowledge, scientific discoveries, and innovative approaches related to global transformations in these sectors.
The Sinai Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotels, established in 1993, is a leading educational institution in Egypt and the Middle East, having trained numerous generations of students in tourism and hospitality.
The Complutense University of Madrid, founded in 1499, is one of Spain's oldest and most prestigious universities. Its Faculty of Commerce and Tourism has been a reference in its field since 1971.
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