EGYPT – Amr El-Kady, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) has released projections from the agency suggesting tourism revenues will grow by 8% in the last quarter of 2024, indicating positive performance of the sector.
In the first half of 2024, Egypt’s tourism revenues reached US$6.6 billion, a notable increase from US$5.6 billion in 2010 and US$6.3 billion in 2023.
This growth is expected to continue, with El-Kady forecasting a 3-4% rise in overall tourism by the end of the year.
The revenue boost is primarily attributed to shifts in the types of international tourists visiting Egypt, increased spending by travelers, and a higher demand for hotel accommodations, which has driven up prices.
In response to this increased demand, Egypt is planning to expand its hotel capacity by adding between 200,000 and 250,000 new rooms.
Additionally, the revenue growth varies across different regions, with the Red Sea expecting a 10% increase, while Cairo and Giza anticipate at least 15% growth.
The surge in tourism is partly driven by the rising popularity of desert tourism, particularly from European and Asian countries like China.
Egypt’s unique desert landscapes, camel rides, and iconic pyramids have made it an attractive destination for those seeking this trend. As a result, the country welcomed a record 7.069 million visitors in the first half of 2024, a slight increase from the 7.062 million tourists during the same period in 2023.
Furthermore, the number of Saudi tourists has grown by 25%, with an estimated one million visitors expected by the end of 2024.
These projections were shared shortly after Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy announced that Egypt anticipates reaching 15.3 million tourist arrivals by the end of 2024, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This would represent the highest number of tourists in the country’s history.
Fathy also mentioned that the expected rise in tourists would be supported by the introduction of economy flights from China and Scandinavia, aligning with the growing interest in desert tourism.
As part of its long-term plans, Egypt’s National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism 2030 aims to attract 30 million tourists annually by 2028.
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