Tourism Minister tells the Senate that arrivals reached a record despite regional geopolitical conditions.
Sherif Fathy expresses readiness to hear and support tourism project ideas and proposals encouraging further investment.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy attended a meeting of the Senate’s Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Media Committee, chaired by Senator Mahmoud Mosallam, to discuss the future of tourism in Egypt.
Fathy reviewed inbound tourism indicators for 2024, when Egypt achieved a historic record of 15.7 million tourists from different source markets despite geopolitical conditions in the region.
He attributed the result to the security and safety provided by the Egyptian state, its strong support for tourism and antiquities, and efforts by former ministers, ministry staff, the private tourism sector and civil society bodies represented by the Egyptian Tourism Federation and tourism chambers.
He emphasized that tourism’s achievement amid regional geopolitical conditions and wider global changes was a collective success that everyone should take pride in and preserve.
The minister discussed cooperation with the private sector, encouraged by the state and political leadership, to promote tourism investment. Long-neglected issues are being addressed and challenges overcome to strengthen investment competitiveness and restore momentum.
Fathy highlighted the need for additional hotel rooms distributed among destinations according to visitor demand. He reviewed recent state financing initiatives, including a fully utilized EGP50 billion tourism support initiative implemented with the Finance Ministry and Central Bank of Egypt.
Many companies applied to finance expansions, complete unfinished projects and carry out replacement and renovation works. These projects are expected to add 40,000 hotel rooms nationwide. Further initiatives to establish new hotels are being prepared.
To encourage tourism investment, a database of available opportunities will support a unified investment map and domestic and international promotion. He stressed the importance of speeding up licensing approvals, identifying fees and ensuring competitive charges to attract Egyptian and foreign investors.
He expressed readiness to listen to and support any tourism project idea, mechanism or proposal that encourages investment and helps overcome obstacles.
Fathy also reviewed the ministry’s current strategy and development targets. It emphasizes the diversity of Egypt’s tourism and archaeological assets and products, positioning the country to become the world’s leading destination for tourism diversity. Work is under way to develop existing products, create new forms of tourism, link products and implement an integrated marketing plan. He highlighted improvements to roads, bridges and airports that have connected many Egyptian destinations.
The strategy seeks tourism economic security through sustainability and direct and indirect returns to society. Community development around tourism and archaeological sites should benefit residents, positively influence behavior and encourage preservation, in cooperation with civil society organizations.
The minister discussed the online Learning Management System being developed to train, qualify and improve the skills of ministry and private-sector employees. Training programs are also being organized with the Egyptian Tourism Federation and relevant chambers.
He referred to his meeting with deans of tourism and hotel faculties nationwide to discuss improving education and training, establishing shared tourism concepts and connecting academic learning with practical training and experience to strengthen graduates’ skills and the sector’s workforce.
An integrated master plan is being prepared for tourism areas, including the zone extending from Sphinx Airport to Saqqara via the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum. It will identify hotel locations and heights and entertainment areas within a coherent planning and visual framework that protects archaeological and heritage character.
Fathy stressed the importance of raising tourism and antiquities awareness across society, especially among schoolchildren and university students. Understanding tourism’s economic role and the value of Egypt’s museums and archaeological sites as part of their history and heritage helps preserve them.
He said work is continuing to finalize draft regulations governing accommodation units, emphasizing the required quality, security and safety standards.
He also reviewed restoration and development along the Holy Family Trail in Egypt. This tourism product will be marketed with travel companies and tour operators for inclusion in different itineraries.
The minister answered questions about tourism and antiquities development, including destination marketing, the Grand Egyptian Museum opening and promotion of the Great Transfiguration project.
Ministry attendees included Amr El-Kady, Chief Executive Officer of the Egyptian Tourism Authority; Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Samia Sami, head of the Central Department for Tourism Companies; Mohamed Amer, head of the Central Department for Hotel Establishments, Shops and Tourism Activities; and Elham Fouda, Director General of Political Communication and Parliamentary Affairs.
