Egypt welcomed record-breaking 15.7M tourists in 2024- Tourism Ministry

EGYPT – Sherif Fathy, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities announced the country welcomed a record-breaking 15.7 million tourists in 2024, despite the current geopolitical challenges in the region.

Minister Fathy attributed this success to the security, stability, and safety provided by the Egyptian state, along with substantial support for the tourism and antiquities sectors.

He also acknowledged the collective efforts of past ministers, ministry staff, the private sector, and civil society organizations, including the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers and various tourist chambers.

Fathy emphasized that the resilience of Egypt’s tourism industry, despite regional instability and global challenges, reflects the collaboration of all stakeholders and should be a point of national pride.

He outlined the Ministry’s continued efforts to attract more investment in tourism through strategic policies developed in partnership with the private sector, all backed by state and political leadership.

Addressing persistent challenges, Fathy highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing work to improve Egypt’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.

A primary focus is the expansion of the country’s hotel infrastructure to meet the rising demand from tourists. He discussed a financing initiative, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Egypt, which has already proven successful in supporting the sector.

Valued at EGP 50 billion, the initiative aims to add 40,000 new hotel rooms by assisting companies in expanding, completing unfinished projects, and renovating existing properties.

The Minister also unveiled plans to establish a centralized investment bank for the tourism sector. This initiative will create a unified investment map to promote opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Fathy emphasized the need to streamline the approval process for licenses, set clear fee structures, and ensure competitiveness to foster an attractive environment for investors.

Outlining the Ministry’s strategic approach, Fathy focused on enhancing Egypt’s tourism and antiquities sector by leveraging the country’s diverse resources and unique archaeological treasures.

Efforts are underway to diversify tourism offerings, supported by a comprehensive marketing plan. Furthermore, significant infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and airports, are being developed to improve connectivity between Egypt’s tourist destinations.

Fathy also highlighted the Ministry’s work on a master plan for key tourist areas, such as the region from Sphinx Airport to Saqqara, which includes the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

This plan will set guidelines for hotel locations, heights, and recreational areas, while ensuring the preservation of the region’s archaeological heritage.

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