Tourism Minister Holds Talks With UN Tourism Secretary-General On Developing Tourism Statistics And Data Exchange
Sherif Fathy, Minister Of Tourism And Antiquities, Held Several Official Meetings During His Current Visit To The Spanish Capital, Madrid, To Participate In The FITUR 2026 International Tourism Trade Fair. As Part Of His Engagements, He Met With Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary-General Of UN Tourism, In The Presence Of Ehab Badawy, Egypt’s Ambassador To Spain, And Dr. Ahmed Youssef, CEO Of The Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority.
The Meeting Discussed Ways To Develop Tourism Statistics Systems And Obtain Accurate Data Related To The Tourism Sector In The Organization's Member States, Including Egypt. This Particularly Included Information On The Number Of Hotels And Tourism Companies, As Well As Incoming Tourist Numbers, Their Profiles, And Different Market Segments In Each Country. The Discussions Focused On Leveraging Modern Technologies, Including Artificial Intelligence, And Automating Data Collection And Analysis Systems To Ensure The Continuous Availability Of Updated Information Covering Various Aspects Of The Tourism Sector.
Both Sides Emphasized The Importance Of Facilitating Access To Tourism Information And Data And Enhancing Their Exchange Among Member States. Some Of This Information Will Also Be Made Publicly Available, Supporting Decision-Making And Contributing To The Achievement Of Sustainable Development In The Global Tourism Sector.
The Discussions Also Addressed Potential Cooperation In Training And Capacity Building For Tourism Sector Employees, With The Aim Of Enhancing Their Efficiency And Developing Their Skills In Line With International Best Practices.
Following The Meeting, The Minister Accompanied Shaikha Al Nowais, Secretary-General Of UN Tourism, On A Tour Of The Archaeological Replicas Museum, Featured As Part Of Egypt’s Participation In FITUR 2026. She Expressed Her Admiration For The Displayed Replicas, Which Reflect The Richness And Diversity Of Egyptian Civilization And Demonstrate Their Role In Promoting Egypt’s Tourism And Cultural Attractions In An Innovative Way To Visitors From Around The World.
Meeting With The President And CEO Of The World Travel & Tourism Council
On The Sidelines Of The Event, Sherif Fathy, Minister Of Tourism And Antiquities, Met With Gloria Guevara, President And CEO Of The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), To Discuss Ways To Strengthen Joint Cooperation Between The Ministry And The Council During The Coming Period.
The Meeting Included An Exchange Of Views On The Ministry Of Tourism And Antiquities’ Strategy And Plans Aimed At Making Egypt The World’s Leading Tourist Destination In Terms Of The Diversity And Quality Of Its Various Tourism Products And Experiences. The Meeting Also Reviewed The Positive Tourism Performance Indicators Achieved By The Sector Last Year, As Egypt Welcomed Approximately 19 Million Tourists, Marking A 21% Increase Compared To 2024.
Gloria Guevara Presented The Role And Various Activities Of The World Travel & Tourism Council, A Leading Global Forum For The Travel And Tourism Industry. The Council Brings Together Prominent Business Leaders From Around The World And Works In Cooperation With Governments To Raise Awareness Of The Importance Of The Sector And Its Vital Role In Supporting Economic Growth And Sustainable Development.
The President And CEO Of The World Travel & Tourism Council Also Invited The Minister Of Tourism And Antiquities To Participate In A Cruise That The Council Plans To Organize In The Coming Period. The Trip Is Expected To Bring Together Prominent Council Members, Ministers, And Tourism Leaders From Around The World, And Will Include Visits To Several Egyptian Tourist Destinations.
The Meeting Was Attended By Dr. Ahmed Youssef, CEO Of The Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority; Ahmed Nabil, Assistant To The Minister Of Tourism And Antiquities For Aviation And Follow-Up; And Mohamed Mohsen, Head Of The Iberia And Americas Unit At The Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority.
