Egypt’s tourism industry recorded an unprecedented year in 2025, welcoming approximately 19 million visitors — a 21 per cent rise compared with 2024 — according to a statement released Saturday by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy noted that this growth significantly outpaced the global average increase of 5 per cent projected by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the ministry said.
Charter flights to Egyptian destinations increased by 32 per cent, while New Alamein experienced an exceptional 450 per cent surge, establishing itself as a prominent new destination on the international tourism scene. Archaeological sites and museums nationwide — excluding the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) — welcomed 18.6 million visitors, marking a year-on-year rise of 33.5 per cent.
Fathy attributed the record results to coordinated government action, stating that the political leadership, Cabinet, and public institutions worked together to create a favourable environment for tourism expansion. He also praised the private sector and ministry employees for their contributions to the sector’s success.
“The results highlight Egypt’s strength as a safe and diverse destination, as well as the effectiveness of our strategy to diversify tourism offerings and enhance service quality,” Fathy said.
Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Marsa Alam airports accounted for the highest number of arrivals, reflecting both Egypt’s geographic diversity and the impact of ongoing infrastructure and service improvements. In 2025, Egypt was connected by air to 193 cities worldwide, demonstrating the continued growth of its international aviation network.
The ministry said it intends to build on this strong performance to support sustainable tourism growth, further stimulate the national economy, and reinforce Egypt’s standing as a leading global tourism destination.
