Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt received 15.6 million tourists between January and October 2025, marking a 21 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Ehab Abdel-Aal, Treasurer of the Egyptian Tourism Federation. The figures highlight Egypt’s growing appeal as a global destination and its ability to meet rising demand, particularly from European travelers.
Abdel-Aal’s remarks were delivered on the sidelines of Hurghada’s hosting of the annual conference of the German travel agents association RTK International, one of the most influential events in Europe’s tourism sector. More than 450 German travel agents participated, representing major companies across Germany’s travel industry. The scale and timing of the event, he noted, send a strong signal of confidence in Egypt’s stability, service quality, and tourism potential.
Germany remains one of Egypt’s most important and reliable tourism markets, distinguished by steady demand and traveler expectations focused on quality, punctuality, accurate information, and diverse experiences. German tourists show a particular interest in cultural heritage, the Red Sea coastline, environmental tourism, and sports and adventure activities, areas where Egypt has strengthened its offerings in recent years.
Abdel-Aal emphasized that participants at the RTK conference were able to witness significant improvements in the Red Sea’s tourism and service infrastructure first hand. He pointed to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ efforts to expand hotel capacity, support sustainable tourism, and enhance aviation incentive programs, steps designed to attract more flights and increase accessibility to Egyptian destinations.
The diversity of Egypt’s tourism portfolio has also become a central factor in its growth. Beyond its world-renowned cultural sites, Egypt has positioned itself as an emerging hub for ecotourism, wellness travel, and adventure sports. According to Abdel-Aal, new development zones such as Berenice, south of Marsa Alam, illustrate this strategy. The presence of a fully operational airport and large-scale investment projects is expected to transform the region into one of Egypt’s most promising tourism frontiers.
As part of wider efforts to strengthen ties with the German market, the Egyptian Tourism Authority recently hosted a familiarization trip to Sharm El-Sheikh for a delegation of German travel agents and media representatives, organized in partnership with German travel giant TUI. The group included TUI CEO Benjamin Jacobi, 17 travel agents from leading German companies, and eight journalists representing prominent newspapers and magazines.
The visit was designed to showcase Egypt’s tourism developments, broaden awareness in the German market, and support ongoing plans to increase incoming travel from Europe’s largest outbound tourism nation. Officials say such initiatives play a key role in maintaining Egypt’s momentum and reinforcing its position on the global tourism map.
With 2025 already delivering one of the strongest tourism performances in years, industry leaders expect continued growth through the end of the year, driven by rising European demand, expanded air connectivity, and ongoing investment in new destinations across the country.
