Egypt is expecting international arrivals to grow by 6% this year, reaching 16.8 million visitors despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The country’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, shared the outlook at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, noting that Egypt saw a 25% year-on-year rise in arrivals during the first quarter of 2025 and may revise its forecast upwards in the coming months.
Last year, Egypt welcomed 15.7 million tourists – a record high and a 21% increase on pre-pandemic levels. The government is aiming to hit 30 million visitors annually by 2030.
Beyond historical tourism, Egypt is actively expanding into new segments such as adventure travel and MICE. According to Minister Fathy, the country is leveraging its vast natural and cultural assets to become a global leader in tourism product diversity.
Growth has been recorded not only from traditional markets like Saudi Arabia, but also from China, Turkey, Spain, Russia and India.
Grand Egyptian Museum to open in July
A key driver of Egypt’s tourism growth is the long-awaited full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, scheduled for 3 July. The landmark cultural venue will close temporarily in June to prepare for the opulent unveiling ceremony, which is expected to surpass the country’s previous “Golden Parade” of royal mummies.
The museum is set to serve as a hub for Egyptology, hosting annual archaeological events and research initiatives.
Related: There’s a new GEM in ancient Egypt
Revamp of the Giza Pyramids underway
Efforts are also being made to improve visitor experiences at the iconic Pyramids of Giza, long criticised for poor management and aggressive vendors. A US$51 million upgrade is being led by Orascom Pyramids Entertainment, introducing electric vehicles, online ticketing, restored tombs, and a new visitor centre. The project has faced pushback from relocated vendors, some of whom protested the new site regulations this week.
Animal rights concerns have also been raised, with PETA urging tourists to avoid using horses or camels for tours amid reports of abuse.