Treasurer of the Egyptian Tourism Federation: Tourism investment today is safer and more trusted than ever before
Ehab Abdel Aal, Treasurer of the Egyptian Tourism Federation and Treasurer of the Cultural Tourism Association, stressed that tourism indicators in Egypt reflect great optimism about a strong tourist season next year, describing 2026 as the year of the tourism boom. He noted that the state has taken important steps over the past period to support tourism investment and encourage serious capital, especially regarding general taxes.
Speaking on the sidelines of the tourism salon organized by the Tourism Committee of the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce in cooperation with the Cultural Tourism Association, Abdel Aal explained that for the first time the tourism sector is witnessing close and fruitful cooperation between investors and the Tax Authority, thanks to the joint committee formed between the Egyptian Tourism Federation and the Ministry of Finance.
He pointed out that this committee succeeded in finding radical solutions to about 35 tax problems facing tourism establishments, and provided flexible settlement mechanisms between investors and the Tax Authority, which helped avoid resorting to the courts in disputes that could have been resolved administratively, stressing that these steps reflect the state's support for tourism investment and serious investors and strengthen the climate of trust and stability in the Egyptian tourism market.
Regarding the tourist transport sector, Abdel Aal stressed the importance of opening the door to importing used tourist vehicles under specific controls that guarantee quality and efficiency, explaining that this step has become an urgent necessity to save the sector, which is currently suffering from a shrinking fleet due to high prices and the ban on imports, at a time when Egyptian tourism is preparing for a major expected growth phase in the coming years.
He added that preparing for this tourism boom requires providing all the components of the tourism work system, foremost among them tourist transport, just as the provision of hotel rooms is planned, noting that the price of a locally manufactured bus is about 35% higher than an imported one, even though the latter is superior in terms of efficiency and comfort standards.
The Treasurer of the Egyptian Tourism Federation called on the Tax Authority to provide specialized inspectors trained in the nature of tourism work, to reduce the problems resulting from a lack of familiarity with the specific nature of tourism establishments. He also stressed the need not to issue a tax card to any establishment engaged in tourist transport without a license from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, to preserve the principle of equal opportunities between licensed and illegitimate entities.
Regarding hotel investment, Abdel Aal explained that developing the area surrounding the Grand Egyptian Museum represents a promising opportunity, as the targeted area extends from Sphinx Airport to beyond Saqqara, an area capable of accommodating the expected tourist numbers. He noted that the current hotel rooms around the museum are limited, but the land offered by the state for investment will help double the number of rooms within two years. He added that the decision to officially regularize and license serviced apartments provides a new type of accommodation that meets the needs of different segments of tourists and supports diversity in Egypt's hotel product.
Abdel Aal concluded his remarks by noting that the number of tourists arriving in Egypt this year has exceeded 19 million, with expectations that average tourist spending will rise by about 70% compared with last year, boosting the chances of achieving record revenues for the sector in the coming period.
