Egypt welcomed a record-breaking 15.7 million tourists in 2024, achieving this milestone despite ongoing geopolitical challenges in the region. The announcement was made by Sherif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, who attributed this success to collaborative efforts within the sector.
In a statement following his appearance at a Senate Committee meeting on Culture, Tourism, Antiquities, and Media, Fathi highlighted the resilience of Egypt’s tourism industry in the face of regional and global challenges. He emphasized the need to sustain these efforts to maintain growth, while also showcasing Egypt’s rich resources and diverse offerings, which position it as a top global destination.
Expanding Investment Opportunities
The minister unveiled plans to establish an Investment Opportunities Bank, aimed at creating a comprehensive map of tourism investment prospects. This initiative will promote opportunities to domestic and international investors. Additionally, Egypt is preparing to add 40,000 new hotel rooms to its current accommodation capacity, ensuring readiness to meet growing tourist demand.
Boosting Tourism Products and Marketing
Fathi outlined ongoing efforts to improve Egypt’s tourism products, introduce new concepts, and integrate diverse experiences. A comprehensive marketing strategy is being implemented to promote these offerings effectively on a global scale.
Tourism Growth in Numbers
The Ministry of Tourism reported a 5% increase in revenues for the first half of 2024, reaching $6.6 billion compared to $6.3 billion in the same period in 2023. Tourist arrivals rose to 7.069 million between January and June 2024, slightly surpassing the previous year’s figure of 7.062 million.
Tourism revenues in Egypt have also grown significantly, showing an 18% increase from the $5.6 billion recorded in 2010, a benchmark year for the industry. The total number of nights spent by tourists reached 70.2 million in the first half of 2024, compared to 67.6 million in 2023 and 65.7 million in 2010.
Aligning with Egypt’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy
This growth aligns with the objectives of Egypt’s National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism 2030, which aims to attract 30 million visitors by 2028. The strategy also focuses on increasing inbound airline seats, expanding hotel accommodations, and boosting tourism revenues. In just the first four months of 2024, the country generated $4.3 billion in tourism revenue and welcomed 4.6 million visitors.
In 2023, Egypt achieved another milestone by receiving 14.906 million tourists, surpassing the 2010 record of 14.731 million visitors. Tourism revenues reached $13.2 billion in 2023, marking an 8% year-on-year increase.
Investments in Tourism Development
As Egypt navigates local economic challenges and regional tensions, the government is intensifying efforts to attract investments in its tourism sector. During the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, Vice Minister Dr. Ghada Shalaby emphasized plans to secure Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) investments for the development of new tourist destinations.
One of the most notable projects is the creation of an international tourist port in Ras El-Hekma, designed to accommodate cruise ships and yachts. This project is part of broader efforts to transform Ras El-Hekma into a vibrant urban and tourism hub.
