Egypt aims to attract 30 million tourists annually by the fiscal year 2030/31 and generate up to $40 billion in tourism revenue, according to Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy. The country also plans to reach 300 million tourist nights annually and expand its accommodation capacity to about 500,000 hotel rooms and units by that date, the minister announced at the Egypt 2026 Forum.
Tourism Growth and Historical Data
Between July 2014 and June 2026, Egypt received approximately 135 million tourists who spent a total of 1.37 billion nights and generated about $125 billion in revenue. The sector faced sharp declines with arrivals falling to
around 7 million in 2015 after the downing of a Russian passenger plane over Sinai and dropping further to roughly 4 million in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Visitor numbers rebounded to 19 million in 2025, with continued growth in 2026.
Infrastructure and Employment Expansion
The government has supported tourism development by financing projects with LE 50 billion, of which LE 35 billion has been disbursed so far. Around 35,000 new hotel rooms are currently under construction or development. Tourism employment increased significantly, rising from 2 million workers in June 2014 to 4.5 million in June 2026. Archaeological sites and museums reported about 173
million visits over the same period, supported by approximately 240 conservation and restoration projects. Close to 30,000 antiquities that were illegally taken abroad have also been recovered.
Key Cultural Projects and Future Potential
Major projects such as the Grand Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation have contributed to sustaining tourism momentum. In 2026, archaeological sites and museums attracted around 18 million visits. The ministry’s strategy emphasizes promoting diverse tourism experiences, encouraging visitor engagement with local culture, advancing luxury tourism, and maintaining high service quality. The government is balancing rising hotel prices with efforts to preserve Egypt’s competitiveness as a destination.
Minister Sherif Fathy
noted that the 30 million tourist target is not a limit, stating Egypt could potentially attract 60 to 70 million tourists annually with adequate capacity and favorable conditions. Such growth will depend on global events and other international travel factors, he added.
