Egypt's tourism sector achieved a record performance in 2025, attracting around 19 million visitors, a 21 per cent increase over 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said Saturday. Minister Sherif Fathy said the growth far exceeded the 5 per cent global average growth estimated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the ministry added. Charter flights to Egyptian destinations rose 32 per cent, while New Alamein saw a remarkable 450 per cent surge, emerging as a major new destination on the international tourism map. Archaeological sites and museums across the country, excluding the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC), received 18.6 million visitors, up 33.5 per cent year-on-year. He credited the achievement to the government's coordinated efforts, saying the political leadership, Cabinet, and public institutions created a supportive environment for tourism growth. He also congratulated the private sector and ministry staff on their role in the record performance. "The growth reflects Egypt's competitiveness as a safe and diverse destination and the success of our strategy to offer a variety of tourism products while improving service quality," Fathy said. Airports in Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Marsa Alam led arrivals, demonstrating Egypt's geographic diversity and the effectiveness of infrastructure and service upgrades. In 2025, flights from 193 cities worldwide connected to Egyptian destinations, underscoring the expansion of the country's international aviation network. The ministry said it plans to build on this momentum to achieve sustainable tourism growth, further boosting the national economy and strengthening Egypt's position as a top global destination. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
