Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt recorded an unprecedented performance in its tourism sector in 2025, welcoming around 19 million visitors, a record high that represents a 21% increase compared with 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said. The figures mark one of the strongest years in the country’s tourism history and underscore Egypt’s growing appeal as a global travel destination.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said the results reflected Egypt’s strong competitive position, citing improved security, political stability, and a clear national strategy focused on diversifying tourism products and upgrading service quality. He described the performance as a major achievement that highlights Egypt’s ability to attract a wide range of international travelers despite global economic and geopolitical challenges.
According to the ministry, Egypt’s tourism growth far outpaced the global average. The United Nations World Tourism Organization has estimated worldwide tourism growth at around 5%, making Egypt’s 21% increase a notable outlier. Officials said this gap reflects rising international confidence in Egypt as a safe and diverse destination offering cultural, coastal, recreational, and heritage-based experiences.
Fathy credited the political leadership and the government for sustained support and coordination across state institutions, saying these efforts helped create a favorable environment for tourism growth. He also praised the private tourism sector and ministry staff for their role in achieving the record figures.
Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Marsa Alam airports topped the list of entry points for tourists in 2025, highlighting the geographical diversity of Egypt’s tourism offerings. Officials said the strong performance reflects continued investment in airport infrastructure and broader improvements in tourism-related services.
Visits to archaeological sites and museums across the country also rose sharply. Excluding the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Grand Egyptian Museum, heritage sites and museums received about 18.6 million foreign visitors in 2025, an increase of 33.5% compared with the previous year. The growth underscores renewed global interest in Egypt’s cultural and historical attractions.
Charter tourism flights increased by 32% during the year, while the New Alamein City emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations. Charter flight traffic to the Mediterranean city surged by 450%, positioning it as a rising hub on the international tourism map. Officials said the performance of New Alamein and the North Coast reflects the success of efforts to introduce new coastal and leisure destinations alongside Egypt’s traditional tourism centers.
The ministry said tourist flights operated from 193 cities worldwide to various Egyptian destinations in 2025, a clear sign of the expansion of Egypt’s international air connectivity and growing global demand.
Looking ahead, Fathy said the government plans to build on the momentum to achieve sustainable tourism growth that directly supports the national economy. He added that Egypt aims to further strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations by continuing to diversify tourism products and enhance the overall visitor experience.
