EGYPT – The Egyptian Cabinet’s Media Center has released a report highlighting the tourism sector’s performance, showing that domestic tourism revenues more than doubled to US$15.3bn in 2024 from US$7.2bn in 2014.
Inbound tourist numbers also rose by 59.6%, reaching 15.8 million in 2024, with a goal of 30 million by 2032.
The latest report reveals that Egypt has significantly improved its position on the international tourism stage, advancing 22 places in the Travel and Tourism Development Index.
In 2024, the country ranked 61st, up from 83rd in 2015, according to the World Economic Forum.
To back the National Tourism Strategy, the report underscores key investment incentives, including a new initiative from the Central Bank of Egypt launched in October 2024.
This initiative, with a budget of EGP 50 billion (US$992.6 million), is designed to support the tourism sector and is being funded by the Ministry of Finance in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Additionally, Egypt is working to create an investment opportunities bank, which will feature a comprehensive investment map.
By January 2025, 156 tourism investment opportunities will be showcased, aimed at attracting both local and international investment.
In cultural tourism, a major development is the introduction of the Cairo City Break product. This initiative promotes Cairo as an independent destination, offering visitors a wide range of experiences including Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic heritage.
Egypt continues to host major global events, such as the 12th World Urban Forum from 4 to 8 November 2024 and the African-Egyptian Tourism Forum and Exhibition, which made its debut in May 2024.
Additionally, the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority has been diversifying tourism markets by participating in 33 international tourism exhibitions in 2023/2024, organizing approximately 80 familiarization trips (Fam Trips), and conducting targeted digital marketing campaigns.
Several promotional campaigns have been rolled out, such as the 2024 Living 365 campaign aimed at Arab and Gulf markets for holiday stays.
Past campaigns, including 200 Years of Continuous Knowledge (2022) and Follow The Sun (2022), which reached over 495 million users, have also contributed to the growth of Egypt’s tourism sector.
For Nile tourism, plans are in place to expand floating hotel capacity to 25,000 rooms by 2030, including the reactivation of inactive vessels.
Religious tourism initiatives, such as the Revival of the Holy Family Trail and the Great Transfiguration project, are transforming Saint Catherine into a global spiritual destination.
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