The findings, published in Visa’s latest Retail Spend Monitor by Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA), highlight a marked shift in consumer behaviour, travel preferences, and digital payment adoption across the country.
Travel and leisure lead spending
According to the report, summer travel spending rose by 27 percent, with Egyptians opting for both outbound destinations and domestic staycations.
While 78 percent of travellers made last-minute plans within a month, 13 percent planned their trips one to three months in advance, and 9 percent began preparations three months ahead.
Dining and leisure spending saw a notable 57 percent increase, while digital payments by premium cardholders, holders of Visa Signature, Infinite, Platinum, and other high-net-worth cards, jumped by 85 percent, accounting for nearly half (46 percent) of total summer spending.
Short escapes and long getaways
Egyptian consumers favoured both short trips (under three days) and extended holidays, with longer getaways representing 66 percent of travel spend.
European destinations such as France, Germany, the UK, and Greece saw a 54 percent rise in short-trip spending.
Outbound travel spending was highest in the UAE, France, Spain, the US, and Italy, with a 28 percent year-on-year increase. Premium cardholders contributed nearly 81 percent of total outbound summer travel spend.
Inbound travel also witnessed strong growth, particularly from premium cardholders in the Middle East, led by the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, whose spending rose by 35 percent.
European visitors from France, Italy, and the Netherlands drove a 139 percent surge in inbound spend.
Digital payments and e-commerce surge
Digital transactions among premium Visa cardholders increased by 85 percent, while e-commerce spending within this segment grew by 55 percent. This reflects a growing preference for secure, convenient, and digital-first payment experiences.
“Consumers in Egypt are embracing digital payment options more than ever this summer,” said Malak El Baba, Visa’s vice president and country manager for Egypt.
“The rise in dining and leisure spend reflects a clear shift towards convenience, trust, and elevated experiences,” he said.
Nicolas Khoury, SVP and head of Visa Consulting & Analytics for CEMEA, added that Visa’s data-driven insights help clients respond to evolving consumer behaviours and unlock growth opportunities during key seasonal periods.
Visa’s Retail Spend Monitor tracked retail, travel, and experience-related activity in Egypt from 1 July to 15 August, based on VisaNet data and survey-based estimates for other payment methods.
Financial inclusion among Egyptians aged 15 and above rose to 76.3 percent by the end of June 2025, marking a steady increase from 74.8 percent recorded in December 2024, according to the latest data published by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).
The figures reflect a growing uptake of active financial accounts nationwide, underscoring continued progress in expanding access to formal financial services.
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