Dr Ahmed Youssef, chief executive of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, addressed the Jet2 Destination Partners Event in Leeds on September 30, calling on UK travel agents to broaden their sales approach toward Egypt.
UK Visitor Growth and Overall Tourism Performance
Egypt welcomed approximately 1.1 million British visitors in 2025, reflecting a 17% increase compared to previous years. The country recorded a total of 19 million international arrivals in 2025, its highest ever figure. In the first half of 2026, arrivals across all markets reached around 9 million, representing a 15.6% increase in the first quarter alone. Tourism revenue rose about one-third to $5.1 billion during the same
period.
Strategy Focuses on Longer Stays and Multi-Centre Holidays
Egypt’s tourism development emphasizes increasing visitor value through extended stays and repeat visits. Dr Youssef highlighted the country’s objective to encourage more multi-destination itineraries combining resorts and cultural experiences. British travellers are targeted with packages that blend Red Sea resorts with cultural hubs like Cairo and Luxor, Nile River cruises, and the Mediterranean coast for summer travel.
Destinations and Tourism Products Under Promotion
The Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo is fully operational, adding cultural appeal. The Egyptian Tourism Authority is promoting premium Nile cruise offerings, including small dahabiyya vessels. Marsa Alam, Siwa, and the Western Desert provide diving, nature, and adventure experiences, while the Mediterranean
coastline’s tourism proposition is expanding. These diverse product offerings aim to shift perceptions of Egypt beyond typical beach or Nile cruise holiday options.
UK Air Capacity Expansion and Jet2 Flight Network
Additional air capacity from the UK is a priority. Jet2 plans to launch year-round flights from six UK airports starting February 2027, boosting access. Dr Youssef expressed the ambition to increase direct UK flights to Luxor and Marsa Alam to facilitate easier travel to the southern Nile and Red Sea regions. Expanding year-round connections from regional UK airports to Egypt is also part of the strategy to support growing demand.
Hotel Development Plans across Egypt
Egypt will add approximately 7,600 new hotel
rooms by 2027, spread across 30 properties located in Luxor, Aswan, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, Cairo, and the North Coast. This hotel growth supports the tourism authority’s push for extended stays and multi-centre itineraries, offering more accommodation options in key destinations.
2027 Total Solar Eclipse Over Luxor
On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will pass directly over Luxor, producing approximately six minutes and 22 seconds of totality along the Nile Valley. Dr Youssef anticipates the event will attract significant tourist interest, with the city expected to book up early during that period. The eclipse is presented as a unique draw for the 2027 tourism
season.
Encouragement to UK Agents for Broader Sales
Dr Ahmed Youssef urged UK travel agents to view Egypt as a destination offering several distinct experiences within one trip. He stated, “Our ambition for the UK is about value as much as volume: longer stays, more repeat visits, and more British travellers combining the Red Sea with Cairo, Luxor or the Nile, or adding the Mediterranean coast for a summer itinerary.” He emphasized that agents should build holidays around the varied experiences available across Egypt to attract new customers and encourage repeat visits.
He also noted, “We would like to see more direct UK flights into Luxor and
Marsa Alam, so British travellers can go straight to the Nile or the southern Red Sea, and more UK regional airports connected to Egypt year-round. The more agents build that in at the point of booking, the more of Egypt British travellers will see.” Regarding the 2027 eclipse, he stated, “For agents, the opportunity is to start thinking about 2027 not simply as another year for Egypt, but as a year in which several new reasons to visit come together. The eclipse is one of the clearest examples, and Luxor is likely to book up early for that week.”
