Egypt aims to attract 30 million tourists annually by 2030/31, generating up to $40 billion in yearly revenue, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said on Thursday.
The targets also include reaching 300 million tourist nights a year and expanding the country’s capacity to about 500,000 hotel rooms and accommodation units, Fathy told a roundtable on foreign-currency resources and debt management at the Egypt 2026 Forum.
Egypt received about 135 million tourists between July 2014 and June 2026, who spent a combined 1.37 billion nights and generated an estimated $125 billion in revenue, he said.
The sector rebounded after tourism arrivals fell to around seven million in 2015 following the downing of a Russian passenger plane over Sinai, and to about four million in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Egypt welcomed 19 million tourists in 2025, Fathy said, with visitor numbers continuing to rise this year.
The minister said the targets were not a ceiling, adding that Egypt could eventually attract 60 million or 70 million tourists annually if the necessary capacity and conditions were in place.
Such growth would also depend on global events and other factors affecting international travel, he said.
About 35,000 hotel rooms are currently under construction or development to accommodate expected growth, Fathy said. The government has also provided LE 50 billion in financing for tourism projects, of which LE 35 billion has been disbursed, with the programme set to be extended.
Tourism employment rose from two million workers in June 2014 to 4.5 million in June 2026, he said.
Egypt’s archaeological sites and museums recorded about 173 million visits over the same period, while around 240 conservation and restoration projects were carried out. The country also recovered about 30,000 antiquities from abroad that had been taken illegally, the minister said.
The sector has gained momentum from major projects, including the Grand Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, Fathy said. Archaeological sites and museums recorded about 18 million visits in 2026, he added.
The ministry’s strategy focuses on promoting Egypt’s diverse tourism offerings, giving visitors opportunities to engage with local culture, and strengthening the country’s position in luxury tourism, while maintaining service quality, Fathy said.
He added that the government was working to balance rising hotel prices with service standards and Egypt’s competitiveness as a destination.
