Egypt drew a record 15.7 million tourists in 2024, with tourism revenues in the year’s first half reaching US$6.6 billion (A$10.637 billion).
The country exceeded 2023’s record of 14.9 million tourists, and has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
“What tourism has achieved in Egypt, despite the geopolitical situation in the region and the changes in the world in general, came as a result of a collective effort that we should all be proud of and preserve,” said Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy.
Revenue in the Egyptian tourism sector climbed to US$6.6 billion in the first half of 2024, according to the Egyptian government’s State Information Service. This represents a year-over-year increase, with revenue in 2023’s first half totalling $6.3 billion.
The most common countries of origin for tourists in Egypt in 2024 included Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. Tourist arrivals from other Arab countries exceeded 2023’s total, with Saudis representing around half of all Arab tourists in Egypt.
Before 2023, Egypt’s record for annual tourist arrivals was 14.7 million, reached in 2010. This number fell over the following decade due to political instability and the covid-19 pandemic — in 2020, Egypt saw just 3.6 million tourists.
Africa at large has now surpassed pre-pandemic tourism levels, welcoming 6% more tourists in the first nine months of 2024 than in the same period in 2019.
Egypt plans to attract 18 million tourists in 2025, and 30 million annual tourists by 2028. “With ambitious targets for 2025, the government plans to expand Egypt's hotel capacity and enhance tourism infrastructure, capitalising on increased global interest in Egyptian cultural and historical attractions,” the Egyptian government said.
The country will establish an Investment Opportunities Bank to catalogue and promote Egyptian tourism investment opportunities, Fathy said.
Passenger numbers at Cairo International Airport reached 27.7 million in 2024, up 1.3 million from 2023. Other Egyptian airports saw 22.1 million passengers, an increase of 1.9 million.
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