• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has expanded its cruise incentive program by allowing passenger and cruise ships calling at Timsah Lake to use the Ismailia Yacht Marina for tourism purposes while counting the stop toward the minimum port stay required to qualify for canal transit rebates.
Under the revised policy, time spent in Ismailia will be included in the calculation of the required 72-hour stay in Egyptian ports, enabling eligible cruise operators to benefit from a 50% rebate on standard Suez Canal transit tolls for each round voyage, in addition to other incentives offered by the Authority.
Located on the shores of Timsah Lake, Ismailia Yacht Marina occupies a strategic position midway between Port Said and Suez, making it a convenient stop for vessels transiting the canal. The marina is situated adjacent to one of the Suez Canal Authority's shipyards and close to the canal's operational headquarters. It is ~110 kilometres from Cairo International Airport and ~80 kilometres from both Port Said and Suez.
The initiative forms part of Egypt's broader strategy to promote Ismailia as a cultural and tourism destination while enhancing the attractiveness of Suez Canal transits. Visitors calling at the city can explore landmarks including the French Catholic Church, the Ismailia Museum—also known as the Ferdinand de Lesseps Museum—which preserves documents and artefacts related to the construction of the Suez Canal, as well as archaeological sites dating from the Pharaonic, Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The city is also known for its agricultural heritage and annual fruit festivals, particularly those celebrating mangoes and strawberries.
By combining financial incentives for cruise operators with expanded tourism opportunities in Ismailia, the Suez Canal Authority aims to encourage longer port calls, enhance the visitor experience and further strengthen Egypt's position within the regional cruise market.
