Valletta, Malta, 16 October 2026: Egypt welcomed 14.4 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 4% compared to the same period last year, as the country continues to invest in tourism infrastructure, expand aviation capacity and develop new destinations.
The figures follow the Egyptian Tourism Authority's participation in the 26th WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, where more than 200 leaders from the public and private sectors gathered under the theme FUTU[RE]SET: Shaping the Future of Travel & Tourism. As part of the summit’s programme, H.E. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, was presented with the WTTC Global Champion Award for Outstanding Leadership in Travel and Tourism by CNN International’s Richard Quest during a gala dinner at Fort St Elmo, recognising his leadership and the continued advancement of Egypt’s travel and tourism sector.
Throughout the event, discussions centred on the forces shaping the sector's next phase, including AI, geopolitics and new patterns of investment, with Egypt adding an important perspective. H.E. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, spoke in a session entitled, “How to Become Enablers for Growth with Public & Private Collaboration,” addressing how governments and the private sector can balance authenticity with investment as tourism grows.
H.E. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, commented: “I am honoured to receive this award, which is not only a recognition for me personally, but also a tribute to Egypt, its leadership, and the dedicated team working to achieve our national objectives for the tourism sector and to strengthen Egypt’s position on the global tourism map. We are committed to supporting and empowering the private sector, both locally and internationally, as a key driver of sustainable growth. We are working to a long-term vision with clear strategies and defined targets, focused on enhancing Egypt’s competitiveness as a tourism destination and offering diverse, authentic, and sustainable experiences that meet the expectations of travellers from around the world.”
Egypt’s tourism economy has grown rapidly in recent years, welcoming 19 million international visitors in 2025, with travel and tourism contributing $34.4 billion to the economy, according to WTTC. The country is targeting 30 million visitors annually by 2030, supported by continued investment in tourism and aviation infrastructure.
According to WTTC, Egypt also plans to double its current hotel capacity of 240,000 rooms, with a development pipeline of approximately 35,000 hotel rooms, including growing investment in luxury properties, supporting this ambition. Airport expansion plans at Cairo International Airport, El-Alamein, Sphinx and Marsa Matrouh aim to accommodate increasing visitor numbers and improve access to destinations across the country.
Egypt’s range of destinations is also supporting the case for further tourism investment. The Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts, Nile Valley and Western Desert each offer a different reason to visit, while the Grand Egyptian Museum adds a major new draw to Cairo and the wider cultural offering. This breadth allows tourism growth to extend beyond established destinations, opening new areas for hotel and tourism development.
Egypt’s participation in the Global Summit builds on its wider relationship with WTTC. In May 2026, Egypt hosted WTTC’s first-ever Leadership Cruise along the Suez Canal, bringing together more than 300 public and private sector leaders.
