Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy toured Egypt’s pavilion at the forty-fifth FITUR fair in Madrid, opened yesterday by Spain’s King Felipe VI and running through January 26.
He highlighted strong attendance at the fair and Egyptian pavilion, whose design, promotional materials and films showcase Egypt’s tourism and archaeological diversity, supporting the ministry’s vision to make it the world’s leading destination for varied tourism products.
Fathy described FITUR as Spain’s most important annual professional tourism event, the world’s third-largest tourism gathering after Berlin and London, and the largest for Spanish-speaking markets in Iberia and Latin America.
He emphasized Spain’s role as a key source market, particularly for cultural and religious tourism, and the tourism authority’s joint marketing campaigns with major Spanish operators.
The tour included Egyptian Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Amr El-Kady, ministerial aviation assistant Ahmed Nabil, overseas offices director Mohamed Mohsen and Spain and Portugal market representative Samar El-Sayyaf.
Visitors praised the pavilion’s ancient temple-inspired architecture and large screens showing Egyptian destinations and products. Officials from several countries visited, including Iraqi Culture and Tourism Minister Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, who admired its design and promotional content.
Fathy met Egyptian travel-company and hotel exhibitors, who praised its location, organization and promotional and cultural activities.
He discussed their Spanish-market business and future bookings and offered technical support to increase arrivals. He explained the ministry’s diversity-focused strategy, answered questions and heard proposals for stronger inbound traffic and promotion.
He also outlined a forthcoming master plan for the area from Sphinx Airport to Saqqara, including the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum. It will identify hotel locations and heights and entertainment areas within a coherent visual plan protecting heritage character. Details are expected in the coming months.
Organizers expect approximately 100,000 public visitors and 150,000 professionals from 156 countries, including 101 with official national representation.
Fathy’s program includes government meetings, discussions with tour operators, travel agencies and airlines from Spain, Latin America and other markets, an international press conference and media interviews.
Egypt’s FITUR pavilion
The tourism authority’s pavilion covers 430 square meters, including an 80-square-meter upper floor, with 43 private-sector participants: 18 travel companies, 20 hotels, the Egyptian Hotel Association, Air Cairo, Nesma Airlines, AlMasria Universal Airlines and the Cultural Tourism Preservation Association.
Temple-inspired architecture and advertising at the entrance and main hall showcase cultural tourism and Red Sea beach experiences. Large screens display destination photographs and films.
An information desk distributes tourism publications, promotional materials and souvenirs. Facilities include two meeting rooms, a reception lounge and a service area with a kitchen serving Egyptian food.
