Egypt sets aim of 30% increase in tourist arrivals in 2024 despite war headwinds

Egypt is aiming for an increase of up to 30 per cent in international tourist arrivals this year, despite escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to a senior government official.

The North African country expects a 25 per cent to 30 per cent growth in inbound tourists this year, compared with the 27 per cent increase it recorded last year, Ghada Shalaby, Egypt's vice minister for tourism said on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market on Tuesday.

The country hosted 14.9 million international visitors last year, surpassing a previous record of 14.7 million visitors in 2010.

“Egypt had seen demand despite the geopolitical issues, which shows that safety is important but also how the travel professionals and the tourists are quite educated about the role of Egypt during this issue that is happening,” Ms Shalaby said.

“There is demand coming into Egypt even to all its destinations, so the numbers speak for themselves.”