File Photo: Tourists visit the Karnak Temple Complex in Egypt s southern city of Luxor. AFP
In 2024, Egypt achieved a new record in the number of tourist arrivals, reaching 15.8 million, a six-percent increase year-on-year. This growth continued in the first quarter of 2025.
From January to May 2025, inbound tourism rose by 26 percent, up from 4–6 percent in the same period last year, and tourist spending increased noticeably.
This upward trajectory has been supported by recent developments in Egypt’s international standing and strategic planning to boost the sector’s long-term performance.
On Saturday, recent upgrades in travel advisories for Egypt by the United States and the United Kingdom were announced, with Egypt now listed under the US State Department’s Level Two: Exercise Increased Caution category, placing it alongside countries like France and Germany.
The UK’s updated guidance also acknowledges that nearly one million British nationals visit Egypt each year, reflecting improved safety and security conditions in the country.
The updated travel advisories are anticipated to drive higher tourist arrivals and contribute positively to Egypt’s economic growth. By enhancing its reputation as a premier destination for cultural and heritage tourism, Egypt aims to solidify its global standing.
Recognising tourism as a vital source of foreign currency, the government has introduced a comprehensive national strategy to welcome 30 million visitors annually by 2028.
In addition, as part of efforts to meet the growing global demand of nature and adventure travellers, on Wednesday, the Ministry of Tourism also expanded safari tourism programmes, attracting 20,000 visitors in the first half of 2025.
On 17 June, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly oversaw the signing of a $265 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding Egypt’s tourism sector through the development of new hotel rooms and branded residential units in key tourist destinations.
The agreement is part of the country’s broader strategy to upgrade tourism infrastructure and increase visitor numbers.
In December 2023, the Egyptian government launched an EGP 50 billion incentive programme to stimulate investment in hotel capacity expansion. The initiative focuses on encouraging companies to develop new rooms at top tourist hubs, including Greater Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, the Red Sea, South Sinai, and the North Coast.
Experts estimate that every 15,000 new rooms could generate up to approximately EGP 1 to 2 billion in VAT and an additional EGP 2 billion in commercial and industrial taxes.
To support its tourism growth targets, the country plans to add 18,000 rooms by the end of 2025 and expand its current capacity of approximately 230,000 rooms by over 200,000 additional units within the next two to three years, enhancing both availability and visitor experience.
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