Egypt Sees 24% Tourism Spike In H1 2025 As It Becomes Top Travel Destination

Egypt’s tourism sector surged in the first half of 2025, witnessing an impressive 24% growth in tourist arrivals. A staggering 8.7 million visitors flocked to the land of the pharaohs between January and June, reaffirming Egypt’s status as a global travel hotspot.

This impressive growth, announced by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, comes despite lingering regional geopolitical tensions, specifically the Israel-Iran conflict, which caused a temporary dip due to room cancellations in June.

However, it appears, Egypt’s mix of ancient history and iconic pyramids proved too compelling to resist. It was also buoyed by recovering global travel demand and the government’s ongoing efforts to support the sector.

This half-year figure builds on a record-setting 2024, during which Egypt attracted 15.8 million tourists, up 6% from the year before and more than 21% above pre-pandemic levels, based on data from the UN World Tourism Organization.

Further validating Egypt’s momentum, the UNWTO’s Q1 2025 report ranked the country as the 10th fastest-growing tourist destination worldwide and third in Africa, with a 21% year-on-year increase in arrivals. Only The Gambia +46%) and Morocco (+22%) posted stronger growth. Egypt also outpaced regional peers such as Ethiopia (+7%) and South Africa (+6%).

Regionally, Africa as a whole grew in Q1, achieving a 9% increase in international arrivals, placing it second only to Asia and the Pacific (+12%). This comes despite the continent not yet fully recovering its pre-pandemic tourism capacity. The continent’s overall growth mirrored the global trend, with international tourism registering a healthy 5% growth in Q1 2025 compared to 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 3%.

Egypt’s tourism sector’s vitality is further highlighted by its robust financial performance. In 2024, Egypt’s tourism revenues soared by 9% year-on-year, hitting a new record of USD 15.3 B, as reported by the Central Bank of Egypt in May. Notable destinations like the popular Red Sea resorts and iconic Nile cruises, in particular, saw a remarkable 25% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals during Q1 2025.

These gains align with Egypt’s broader tourism strategy. By the end of 2025, the government aims to attract 18 million tourists, a 14 percent increase from last year. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly set the target in January as part of Egypt’s long-term “Vision 2028” strategy, which seeks to draw 30 million annual visitors within the next three years.

Supporting that ambition is a EGP 50 B (USD 1 B) initiative, launched in October 2024 by the Egyptian government, to provide financial support to tourism businesses. This program offers attractive loans at a declining interest rate of 12%, specifically designed to support tourism companies and expand the country’s hotel capacity, accommodating the growing influx.

Even with global uncertainties, Egypt’s tourism industry remains on a steady upward path. The country’s exceptional performance within Africa’s embattled landscape is testament to its continuous efforts to strengthen its tourism sector, making its unique civilizational treasures more accessible and appealing to travelers worldwide.