Egypt achieved a record-breaking milestone in its tourism sector in 2024, welcoming 15.7 million visitors from various international markets. This achievement came despite regional geopolitical challenges and highlights the country’s resilience and appeal as a global travel destination. The announcement was made by Sherif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, during a statement following his participation in a Senate Committee meeting on Culture, Tourism, Antiquities, and Media.
Collaborative Efforts Behind the Growth
Minister Fathi attributed the sector’s remarkable performance to collaborative efforts across various stakeholders. He emphasized that these collective achievements must be sustained to continue positioning Egypt as a competitive global tourist destination. He also shared insights into the ministry’s strategy, which focuses on leveraging Egypt's diverse resources and offerings to highlight the country’s uniqueness in the tourism and antiquities sectors.
A Strategy for the Future
The minister elaborated on the current goals and strategic initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which are aimed at enhancing the industry’s capabilities. These efforts include showcasing Egypt’s cultural heritage, natural resources, and tourism diversity to cement its position as a leader in the global travel industry.
To further strengthen the tourism sector, Fathi announced the development of an "Investment Opportunities Bank." This initiative will create a comprehensive map of tourism investment prospects, promoting them both locally and internationally. Additionally, plans are underway to expand Egypt’s hotel capacity by adding 40,000 new rooms in the near future.
Economic Gains and Visitor Growth
Egypt’s tourism revenues reached $6.6 billion in the first half of 2024, marking a 5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 when revenues stood at $6.3 billion. Between January and June 2024, the country welcomed 7.069 million tourists, surpassing the 7.062 million visitors recorded during the same timeframe the previous year.
Tourism revenues also saw a significant rise compared to 2010, which was a peak year for Egyptian tourism. Revenues increased by 18 percent from $5.6 billion in 2010 to $6.6 billion in 2024. This growth also resulted in a notable increase in the number of nights spent by tourists, which totaled 70.2 million in the first half of 2024 compared to 67.6 million in 2023 and 65.7 million in 2010.
Advancing Tourism Products and Marketing
The ministry is actively working to enhance various tourism experiences and integrate diverse offerings to attract a wider audience. Fathi highlighted the implementation of a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote these products globally, while also introducing new tourism concepts to appeal to different traveler preferences.
Aligning with the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism 2030
This growth aligns with Egypt’s National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism 2030, which aims to attract more visitors and increase tourism capacity. The strategy targets 30 million annual visitors by 2028 through the expansion of inbound airline seats and hotel accommodations.
In the first four months of 2024 alone, Egypt generated $4.3 billion in tourism revenues and welcomed 4.6 million tourists, reflecting the sector's rapid development. These figures build on the success of 2023, a year in which Egypt hosted 14.906 million tourists, surpassing the previous record of 14.731 million visitors in 2010.
Major Investments and Development Projects
Despite regional tensions and domestic economic challenges, Egypt is focusing on strengthening its tourism sector by attracting substantial investments. During the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, Dr. Ghada Shalaby, Vice Minister for Tourism and Antiquities, highlighted Egypt’s efforts to secure funding from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations for developing key tourist destinations.
One of the most prominent projects currently underway is the construction of an international tourist port in Ras El-Hekma. This port, designed to accommodate cruise ships and yachts, is part of a larger initiative to transform Ras El-Hekma into a vibrant urban and tourism hub.
Through these ambitious plans and sustained growth, Egypt continues to solidify its status as a top global destination, driving economic growth and enhancing its international tourism appeal.
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