Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently announced that Egypt welcomed over seven million tourists in the first half of 2023. The number sets a new record, surpassing the figures of the previous year by a significant margin.
Ahmed Issathe, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, commended the efforts of the tourism private sector and the Permanent Council for Hotel and Resort Permits for their role in attracting visitors. In a routine meeting with the council, Minister Issathe emphasized the collaboration between the private sector and relevant authorities, which has placed Egypt in a well-deserved competitive position among the world’s major tourism destinations.
The minister also highlighted the ongoing cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to increase the number of available seats from countries that contribute a significant number of tourists to Egypt.
Egypt Expects 15 Million Tourists in 2023
A statement from the ministry emphasized the diversity and consistency of tourism markets, with a notable increase in the number of visitors and nights spent in the country. As the government had projected 15 million tourists to visit Egypt in 2023, the country remains on track to achieve this target if its performance in the second half of the year aligns with the impressive numbers from the first half.
In April, Egypt experienced an extraordinary influx of tourists, welcoming a record-breaking 1.35 million visitors. The total number of tourists in 2022 amounted to 11.7 million, marking a substantial 46.2 percent increase compared to the previous year’s figure of eight million.
The North African country relies heavily on the tourism industry. Both the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict had a negative impact on the industry. Tourism from Russia and Ukraine is significant to Egypt’s economy. Egypt’s diverse attractions, including ancient ruins, stunning beaches, and vibrant cities like Cairo and Luxor, continue to draw tourists from around the world.