Egypt Targets 30 Million Tourists by 2030, Region 100 Million

Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy announced that Egypt received about 16.2 million tourists through the end of last October, expecting the number to reach 20 million by the end of the current year, then 22 million next year.

The minister made these estimates in remarks on Monday, and they are based on 20% growth in visitor numbers, the highest tourism growth rate in the Middle East according to a regional report by the World Tourism Organization.

The sector recorded revenues of $18.4 billion during fiscal year 2025-2026, up 10.3% year on year, according to Egyptian Central Bank data. The government aims to reach 30 million tourists annually by 2030, with projected revenues ranging between $36 and $40 billion.

Reaching this target requires adding between 240,000 and 250,000 new hotel rooms, alongside expanding airport capacity and developing logistics services linked to the sector. The government says it is addressing this gap through investor incentives and simplified licensing procedures.

The "ATM Travel Trends Report 2026", issued on November 9, had shown that 77% of travelers considering a visit to the Middle East prioritize "luxury" when booking, compared with 51% for other destinations. The report noted that "luxury" is no longer confined to five-star hotels, but now includes authentic cultural experiences and encounters with local residents.

55% of visitors to the region seek to attend cultural events, compared with 42% in other destinations, which places Egypt in a strong competitive position within the region thanks to its civilizational heritage and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

According to World Tourism Organization data, Egypt recorded a 16% increase in tourist numbers during the first quarter of 2026, surpassing both the regional and global averages, at a time when tourism activity slowed in some neighboring countries.

Globally, a joint report by "World Travel Market" and "Tourism Economics" issued on November 3 indicated that international tourism is on track for 1.57 billion arrivals and $1.8 trillion in spending by 2026, with a clear shift from mass tourism to experience-based and sustainable travel.

The Middle East region aims to receive about 100 million tourists by 2030, a target that requires doubling hotel capacity and developing air connectivity. Egypt sits at the heart of this figure by virtue of its population size and its position as a gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa.