Egypt recorded a 23 per cent increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, said Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy during his meeting with his Serbian counterpart Husein Memić. Fathy met with the Serbian Minister of Tourism and Youth in Belgrade to discuss enhancing tourism cooperation and increasing Serbian tourist visits to Egypt, according to a Cabinet statement. The Serbian Minister emphasised the importance of the visit in enhancing the robust bilateral relations and his country's dedication to enhancing cooperation, especially in the tourism sector, as stated in the press release. He discussed the ministry's strategy for developing Egypt's tourism sector, focusing on showcasing the country's diverse offerings. The ministry has also launched a promotional campaign with the slogan Egypt… Unmatched Diversity. Fathy noted that Egypt welcomed around 15.8 million tourists in 2024, marking a 6 per cent increase from 2023, with a further 23 per cent rise in the first quarter of 2025 despite regional geopolitical challenges. The minister highlighted the importance of utilising advanced promotional tools like AI in Egypt's international marketing campaigns and stressed the need for collaborative efforts to boost mutual tourism. He suggested arranging familiarisation trips for tour operators and strengthening cooperation in wellness tourism. He stressed that tourism remains a cornerstone of Egypt's economic development and spoke about the newly operational Sphinx International Airport and the country's open skies policy—applicable to all airports except Cairo International. The minister also advocated for a direct air link between Belgrade and Cairo, citing its potential to strengthen not only tourism but also economic, political, and cultural ties, according to the statement. He emphasised Egypt's rapid development, especially in New Alamein City, and plans to double hotel capacity by 2030. He invited the Serbian counterpart to the Grand Egyptian Museum's opening on July 3, calling it a global cultural landmark. Memić stated that 2024 was a successful year for tourism, with an 11 per cent increase in tourist arrivals and a 12 per cent rise in revenues compared to the previous year. He commended Egypt's participation in Serbia's tourism fair for boosting tourist flows to Egypt. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
