Incoming tourism to Egypt hits record-breaking 14.9 million tourists in 2023: Minister

Ahram Online , Wednesday 17 Jan 2024

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa said that despite several challenges, incoming tourism to Egypt hit a record-breaking 14.9 million tourists in 2023.

Tourists
File Photo: Tourists visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt.. AFP

 

During the weekly cabinet meeting, Issa said the previous record for incoming tourism to Egypt was 14.7 million tourists in 2010.

In addition, he noted that 3.6 million tourists visited Egypt in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Although it fell 600,000 tourists short of the planned figures due to the conflict in Gaza, the number constitutes an 8 percent increase compared to the same quarter last year. 

Moreover, the tourism minister emphasized how the national tourism strategy contributed to achieving record numbers in incoming tourism to Egypt.

The strategy's objectives include, among other things, formulating policies that stimulate the supply side of the Egyptian tourism product, reshaping relations with the private sector, instilling confidence, and positively impacting the sector's performance and the state's dollar revenue.

Issa also highlighted the effect of the financial reforms introduced by the Supreme Council of Antiquities on multiplying its revenues fivefold during the fiscal year 2023/2024, compared to 2021/2022, and reducing the council's reliance on the state general budget to zero.

Furthermore, he highlighted the efforts to triple the available airline capacity by 2028, noting that the number of stimulated and incoming airline seats to Egypt increased from 561,852 seats in August 2022 to 698,779 seats in October 2023.

The minister concluded with a detailed explanation of the efforts to enhance the tourist experience by improving the quality of services, raising awareness, and protecting tourists from negative behaviours. 

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