egypt tourism statistics 2022

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Egypt: Number of Visitors Grows by 85% in First Half of 2022 Compared to Same Period Last Year

As Egypt opened its museums and archaeological sites to tourists for free on Tuesday to mark World Tourism Day, the country’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics announced that a round 4.9 million tourists visited Egypt in the first half of 2022, an 85.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Hotel occupancy also grew in 2022, though not as much; during the first six months of 2022, it was 52.6 million nights, a 63.6% increase compared to the first half of 2021. In all of 2021, 8 million tourists visited Egypt, a 117.5% increase over 2020, when 3.7 million people visited the country.

The “rise in numbers of tourists visiting Egypt in 2021 and the first half of 2022 is a good indication of recovery after the COVID-19 that caused a sharp decline in numbers due to the policies of the lockdown imposed worldwide,” said Ashraf al-Sahah, a member of the Egyptian Tourism Federation.

Before the pandemic, tourism was breaking records in Egypt: Revenue from tourism hit a peak in 2019 at $13.03 billion, with 13.1 million people arriving that year as tourists.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed Issa said that the country had set an ambitious goal to increase the number of foreign tourists by 25 to 30% annually. To achieve this, the ministry would invest in improved hotels and shopping malls and would raise the quality of services the country offered to tourists, whether in airports or taxis, on the streets of the country’s cities, or elsewhere. Issa also said his ministry and the aviation ministry would work together to increase the capacity of airports and the number of flights available. “The tourism industry is one of the main pillars of the national economy, and it is linked with many complimentary industries and contributes to providing job opportunities directly and indirectly,” he said at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

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Tourism From The Report: Egypt 2022 View in Online Reader

In 2020, when international arrivals and tourism operations were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a worry that the tourism industry would lose its post-2017 momentum. However, efforts have been made to maintain the upward trend. Indeed, public investment in the tourism sector and concerted marketing campaigns aimed at fuelling engagement laid the groundwork for a rebound. In May 2021 the Central bank of Egypt amended an initiative to make it easier for hoteliers to afford renovations, financing a maximum of 90% of the costs of replacement and renewal, up from the previous 75% coverage. Moreover, the government has sought to bolster the domestic tourism market, encouraging Egyptians to take their holidays in cultural destinations. Looking to the future, the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to around 100,000 artefacts, is opening its doors in 2022.

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Achieving 30m tourists yearly.. egypt’s minister reveals figures, statistics.

Hanan Mohamed

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 - 10:26 GMT

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, revealed a set of figures and statistics related to the tourism sector in Egypt

CAIRO - 15 December 2022: Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, revealed a set of figures and statistics related to the tourism sector in Egypt, explaining that his ministry plays its role as an organizer and supervisor of nearly 8,000 tourist facilities.

Issa said during a meeting with journalists covering the tourism and antiquities sector, that the Supreme Council of Antiquities, spent about LE 3.1 billion during 2022, from the council's income along with part of the state budget, within the efforts to establish new museums, develop archaeological sites and maintain antiquities.

He pointed out that revenues from visit tickets amounted to LE 1 billion during the same year.

The Ministry of Tourism spent LE 800 million on promotional campaigns abroad, during the fiscal year 2022/ 2023, in addition to LE 850 million to support and stimulate direct tourism aviation, with a total of LE 1.65 billion, the minister added.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities explained that the amount spent is not considered large compared to the volume of the huge work produced. “We have in Egypt approximately 2,160 archaeological sites and 43 museums, of which 31 are open for visits,” he said.

He elaborated that the ministr , as an owner, has more than 40 museums and 2,000 archaeological sites, of which 130 sites and 31 museums are open to visit, and there are about 250 archaeological missions working in the field of excavations for antiquities, while as an operator, it supervises 1,300 tourist restaurants, 1,200 hotels, 2,200 bazaars, and 480 diving centers,  other than clubs licensed for tourism activities.

Issa added that the Supreme Council of Antiquities extends its role as a scientific and cultural institution that preserves, protects and records Egyptian antiquities in addition to excavating them, indicating that there are 250 foreign archaeological missions in Egypt that excavate for antiquities.

The minister affirmed the state's interest in developing cultural tourism and increasing the targeting of cultural tourists interested in archaeological sites and museums, because it is a competitive advantage that Egypt enjoys due to its archaeological sites, museums, treasures and monuments.

As for the ministry role, he stated that the ministry plays its role as an observer, organizer and catalyst, all with the aim of protecting the final consumer, who is the visitor or tourist, in order to improve the tourism service and the tourism experience provided in Egypt, and to advance the tourism industry.

Regarding the tourism promotion programs and aviation stimulus programs, the minister revealed that nearly LE 1.6 billion was spent on them during the fiscal year 2021/2022, in order to advance the tourism industry.

He added that global spending programs are being directed to serve the tourism industry and promotion programs are being prepared by launching various campaigns in a number of tourism-exporting markets in Egypt, in addition to civil aviation stimulus programs that will continue until next April.

Targeting to reach 30 million tourists

The minister clarified that the ministry is working on studying the challenges faced by the sector in order to reach 30 million tourists, noting that the highest tourist rate reached by Egypt was 14 million tourists in 2009/2010 season, followed by a decline in the rates to rebound in 2019 before being affected by the repercussions of COVID-19.

“Tourism is like other industries, that needs to study the challenges and problems in it to come up with solutions and set priorities, which is what is being worked on within the ministry at present,” he noted.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities explained that the Tourism Promotion Authority currently has six foreign offices in a number of countries in order to promote and stimulate tourism in Egypt.

According to Issa, since assuming his duties, he has been working on a number of tasks and setting priorities, perhaps the most important of which is reaching the 30 million tourists who visit Egypt every year.

He added that the assignments of Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly were to reach $30 billion in tourism within the 2030 plan, which the ministry is currently working on.

“Three priorities have been identified on which the ministry is based with regard to the tourism sector, the first axis, which is aviation, and there is joint coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation on a regular and continuous basis to increase the number of flights, seats and low-cost aviation, and the second axis is working to improve the tourism experience in Egypt.  The third is based on improving the tourism investment climate,” Issa stated.

The minister also pointed out that reaching 30 million tourists annually requires an increase in the growth rate of tourist rooms in Egypt by 25% annually to accommodate these numbers, and therefore the ministry is working to encourage and attract tourism investments in Egypt, especially since the state has spent a lot and succeeded in rehabilitating the infrastructure and regional roads.

Furthermore, he stated that the ministry is seeking a diversity of hotel rooms, especially three-star rooms, and distributing them to the governorates, especially Luxor, Aswan and Qena, which urgently need hotel rooms, indicating that he will do a "Master Plan" for 3-star hotel rooms with the Ministry of Housing.

"Today we have a vision of a number of problems that the industry suffers from, and we seek to develop a scientific vision to reduce them, and I am optimistic about the year 2023,” the minister said.

He showcased that there are 1,200 hotel establishments in Egypt, 1,325 tourist restaurants, more than 2,400 tourist attractions, 480 diving centers and marine activities, in addition to more than 2,160 archaeological sites and 43 antiquities museums.

The Aviation Sector

The work on the current aviation incentive system will continue until May 1, 2023, as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to support the incoming tourist movement to Egypt in light of the increased demand to visit Egypt, he stated.

Issa added that the number of incoming tourists has improved at the present time, and according to the official statistics that were sent to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, what is being done on the ground of the state's efforts has directly contributed to restoring the tourism movement.

Issa added that in the coming period, the focus will be on increasing the capacity of direct tourism aviation thrice the current capacity, which is expected through incoming traffic from 12 foreign countries, while providing an appropriate climate and fertile environment for investment, noting that the first steps to work on increasing the effectiveness of government efforts were  developing an accurate description of the role of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as an owner and operator, in order to make the best use of the available capabilities.

He added that his meetings with the associations of tourist investors during the past period witnessed an emphasis on the need for a common language between the ministry and investors, and continued understanding and joint work, to serve Egypt's primary goal of attracting 30 million tourists.

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Egypt Visitor Arrivals

• Egypt Visitor Arrivals recorded 5,925,000 person in Dec 2021, compared with 819,000 person in the previous year
• Egypt Visitor Arrivals data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1982 to Dec 2021
• The data reached an all-time high of 14,731,000 person in Dec 2010 and a record low of 819,000 person in Dec 2020

View Egypt's Visitor Arrivals from 1982 to 2021 in the chart:

What was Egypt's Visitor Arrivals in 2021?

Egypt Visitor Arrivals recorded 5,925,000 person in Dec 2021, compared with 819,000 person in the previous year See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals by Country Comparison

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• Friday, 03 May 2024

Egypt’s tourism sector expected to recover by mid-2022: Tourism minister

Ahram online , monday 17 may 2021.

El-Anani said he hopes Egypt records during the second half of 2022 tourism figures that are close to the levels recorded in 2019

Egypt’s Tourism Minister Khaled El-Anani on Monday expected the tourism sector in the country to recover by mid-2022, saying the current tourist revenue represents 43 percent, compared to the period before the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking to Al-Arabiya on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, El-Anani said he hopes Egypt records during the second half of 2022 tourism figures that are close to the levels recorded in 2019.

This recovery will be achieved in case the coronavirus vaccines proved effective and were distributed at a suitable pace in the countries which tourists come from, El-Anani said.

Tourism, according to the tourism ministry in 2019 before the pandemic, represented 15 percent of Egypt’s gross domestic product (GDP).

During 2020, Egypt has reportedly lost almost 70 percent of its tourism revenues due to the pandemic.

Egypt expects a surge in tourism revenues, especially following a Russian decision to resume charter flights to Egypt's Red Sea airports, including Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.

Goldman Sachs expects the sector to replenish gradually with about $3 billion in the wake of the Russian decision. The New York-based investment banking company said last month that Russian tourists accounted for 75 percent of all tourists to Egypt in 2014.

El-Anani told Al-Arabiya that Egypt is implementing tourism projects worth $15 billion.

The minister explained that Egypt in April could restore 50 percent of the number of tourists before the pandemic.

He noted that more than 500,000 visitors arrived in the country from 20 states, compared to a million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic.

El-Anani estimated monthly tourism losses in Egypt at 60 percent, in comparison between Q1 2019 and Q1 2021, representing around $600 million.

Egypt temporarily suspended international flights last year and closed numerous archaeological sites in the wake of the pandemic, which affected hundreds of workers in the vital sector.

According to a 2019 report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 2.5 million people worked in the tourism sector in 2018, which represents around 9.5 percent of total job opportunities in Egypt.

Egypt’s Health Minister Hala Zayed in April said all the workers in tourism facilities, establishments, and related activities in the Red Sea and South Sinai governorates would be vaccinated by the end of the month.

In remarks to Reuters on Sunday, El-Anani said 65 percent of the tourists coming to Egypt visit South Sinai and the Red Sea, as they represent open areas with water activities.

He noted that this kind of vacation is sought by tourists during the pandemic.

Commenting on the Russian decision to resume flights to Egyptian resorts, El-Anany said 3.5 million Russian tourists had been visiting Egypt annually until 2015.

Egypt's Tourism Minister

Khaled el-anani, arabian travel market, latest news, most viewed, also in politics.

The World Bank Reinforces Its Support for the Development of Resilient Tourism and Blue Economy in Cabo Verde

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2024 -   Today, the World Bank approved a credit from the International Development Association in the amount of $30 million for the Second Additional Financing of the Resilient Tourism and Blue Economy Development Project in Cabo Verde, increasing the overall value of this project, initially approved in May 2022, to $75 million. 

This new funding emphasizes the importance of tourism and its connections to the blue economy. Its main goal is to support Cabo Verde's overarching strategies for sustainable tourism and the blue economy, as outlined in the Tourism Operational Program and the National Investment Plan for the Blue Economy. By doing so, it aims to promote tourism practices that are environmentally friendly and beneficial to local communities. It also aims to expand on initial objectives by improving the diversity of tourism offerings across different islands and markets. Progress will be measured by metrics like increased tourist spending and longer stays in emerging destinations. Additionally, the project seeks to increase the participation of local communities in the economic benefits of tourism, which will be tracked through the number of contracts awarded to local businesses within the tourism industry.

The project expansion now spans activities across six islands: Santiago, Santo Antão, São Vicente, Sal, São Nicolau, and Boa Vista. These activities include:

i) Improving tourism and blue economy infrastructure: This involves enhancing trekking trails, restoring historical and cultural sites, and upgrading coastal areas, piers, and fishing markets to ensure they support sustainable practices.

ii) Supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs) and women-led businesses: The project will provide tailored assistance to SMEs and businesses led by women. This support will focus on offering sustainable services and products that meet the current demands of the tourism industry and take advantage of the unique opportunities presented by Cabo Verde's blue economy.

iii) Establishing supportive public policies: Efforts will be made to create frameworks for effective public policies, particularly in sectors crucial for sustainable development. This includes initiatives to strengthen governance in sustainable fisheries, creating an enabling environment for the long-term growth of tourism and the blue economy in Cabo Verde.

"The increase in funding for this pivotal project to $75 million — the largest ever provided by the World Bank in Cabo Verde — underscores a firm commitment to advancing the country's development strategy led by the private sector. This commitment extends to exploring opportunities beyond tourism, particularly within the blue economy. The expanded investments in resilient infrastructure, coupled with support programs for local SMEs and sustainable development policies, aim to unlock Cabo Verde's inherent potential and competitive advantages,” said Rosa Brito, Interim Resident Representative for Cabo Verde.

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