Egypt’s tourism sector sees 21% surge in 2025

Egypt welcomed 15 million tourists during the first nine months of 2025, representing a 21 percent increase year-on-year and placing the country on track to meet its annual target of 18 million visitors.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy told Asharq Bloomberg that 8.7 million tourists arrived in the first half of the year, rising to 12.8 million by the end of August and reaching around 15 million by late September. He added that Egypt is on course to meet its goal of between 17.5 and 18 million tourists by the end of the year.

Tourism continues to serve as one of Egypt’s most important sources of foreign currency. The country received 15.78 million tourists in 2024, the highest figure ever recorded. Although Fathy did not specify tourism revenues for the first nine months of 2025, Central Bank of Egypt data indicates that revenues grew by 9 percent in 2024, reaching $15.3 billion.

The minister highlighted that with the Grand Egyptian Museum’s official opening in early November, daily visitor numbers are expected to triple from the current 5,000–6,000 visitors.

Located just one mile from the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum—nearly 20 years in the making—is anticipated to deliver a significant boost to Egypt’s tourism sector, according to Bloomberg.

Spanning 120 acres, the landmark museum will house approximately 100,000 artifacts, including the full collection from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, making it the largest archaeological museum in the world. While several galleries have already opened, the museum is expected to attract around 5 million visitors annually once fully operational.