In a pivotal move to bolster Egypt's standing as a regional hub for real estate and tourism investment, a coalition of industry leaders, developers, and policymakers convened to chart a unified strategy for promoting property exports and attracting foreign investors. The roundtable, titled "Egypt's Real Estate Exports: Challenges and Opportunities," gathered a distinguished panel from both the public and private sectors to align efforts under a cohesive national vision. Building a Cohesive Strategy for Real Estate Exports The meeting aimed to formulate a comprehensive roadmap to expand Egypt's real estate exports—an emerging sector gaining momentum in light of the government's ongoing urban development initiatives and increasing international interest in Egyptian property. Discussions centered on how coordinated public–private partnerships could accelerate implementation and unlock value across diverse segments, including heritage zones, resorts, and new urban developments. With an emphasis on branded residences, lifestyle communities, and hospitality-led projects, the panel highlighted how integrated models such as hotels, mixed-use developments, and innovative investment vehicles can serve as engines of growth. By linking global capital with Egypt's cultural wealth, the initiative seeks to cement the country's role as a premier regional destination for tourism and investment.
New Alamein: A Model for Integrated Urban-Tourism Development Abdelkhalek Ibrahim, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, underscored the strategic approach behind New Alamein City's development since 2016. He explained that launching residential towers along the North Coast was an intentional move to position the city as a year-round destination for both international and domestic tourists. He cited Aswan as a successful example of preserving cultural identity while advancing therapeutic and heritage tourism. Ibrahim emphasized that while Egypt's advanced infrastructure provides a strong foundation for tourism growth, upgrading service quality and human capital must precede any increase in visitor numbers. He acknowledged that attracting international firms and foreign capital remains a key objective for New Alamein, though balancing local and foreign participation continues to be a challenge. He also announced plans for an upcoming conference in New Alamein aimed at aligning domestic and international investments in tourism. To that end, he stressed the need for more effective marketing of real estate products, which would build investor confidence and address weak promotional strategies. Streamlining project registration and licensing procedures, enhancing investment incentives, and accelerating digital transformation through Egypt's smart cities initiative were also identified as vital enablers for sector-wide efficiency and innovation.
Urban Development Fund Revives Egypt's Historic Cities Khaled Sedeik, Chairperson of the Urban Development Fund (UDF), reiterated the Fund's ongoing mission to revitalize Egypt's historic areas, especially in Cairo, with planned expansions into Rashid and Alexandria. He explained that restoring Historic Cairo is not only about urban renewal but also about reclaiming its status as one of the world's most enchanting heritage cities. Sedeik outlined UDF's collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on feasibility studies to redevelop deteriorated areas. In many cases, the government acquired properties amicably from residents at fair market value to preserve Islamic architecture and convert them into boutique hotels catering to international tourists. A flagship example is Al-Fustat Park, which features over 400,000 hotel rooms and illustrates how neglected spaces can be transformed into vibrant tourism hubs.
Tourism Authority: Egypt Enters Phase of Growth and Takeoff Mostafa Mounir, CEO of the Tourism Development Authority, reflected on Egypt's progress since 2013, marked by the construction of new cities and the revitalization of informal settlements. He stated that the country is now entering a phase of "enhancement and takeoff", supported by robust tourism indicators. He reported that Egypt welcomed 16 million tourists last year—a promising figure, though still below its potential when compared to regional competitors like the UAE, which receives around 57 million tourists annually. Hotel occupancy rates have reached 95%, driven by global demand, diverse visitor segments, and increased tourist spending. Mounir revealed that Egypt has invested approximately EGP 5trn in the tourism sector since the 1990s, with 95% of Red Sea developments focused on hospitality rather than residential units to support sustainable growth. The Authority aims to add 334,000 new hotel rooms in the near future. He stressed that strict environmental and spatial planning regulations are in place to preserve each destination's ecological integrity. Marsa Alam, known for its pristine coral reefs, was cited as a model of eco-tourism. Mounir concluded by asserting that Egypt's tourism performance shows "unprecedented growth," offering prime opportunities for serious investors seeking sustainable, high-value returns.
GAFI Enhances Investment Climate with Licensing Reform Mohamed Youssef, CEO Advisor at the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), praised the strides made in the tourism and antiquities sectors, citing the Grand Egyptian Museum as a landmark global investment project. He observed that Gulf investments have increasingly shifted to the Red Sea region following the North Coast boom post-2013, reflecting sustained investor confidence in Egypt's diversified market. Youssef emphasized that the government offers a robust package of incentives and procedural support to investors. Notably, projects are considered complete once they reach 80% construction, and the Golden License system enables streamlined, single-window approvals for all required permits—dramatically simplifying project launch timelines. He added that GAFI continues to collaborate with entities like the New Urban Communities Authority to ensure smooth project execution and stronger integration between domestic and international investors. The Authority has also launched digital platforms to facilitate transparency, efficiency, and contribute to Egypt's broader digital transformation goals, thereby improving the overall investment climate.
EGOTH Drives Heritage Hotel Investment and Sectoral Integration Hisham El Demery, CEO of the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH), outlined the organization's critical role in stimulating tourism investment through the stewardship of Egypt's historic hotel assets. He emphasized that close coordination between the tourism and real estate sectors, along with government support, is essential for sustainable and integrated development. El Demery highlighted EGOTH's strategic focus on modernizing its asset portfolio through partnerships and restoration projects. Among the flagship initiatives is the reconstruction of the Continental Hotel and the redevelopment of the Shepherd Hotel, which is slated for completion by mid-2027. These efforts aim not only to restore architectural heritage but also to elevate service standards. He noted that revitalizing Cairo's historic core is a national priority that transcends commercial interests, reflecting a broader urban vision rooted in cultural preservation. EGOTH is also innovating its management and investment models to ensure long-term operational success. Looking ahead, El Demery unveiled plans to expand EGOTH's educational footprint. The organization currently operates five tourism and hospitality institutes across Luxor, Alexandria, and Ismailia and intends to launch a new institution—EGOTH University—to train future professionals and elevate workforce quality across the tourism sector.
