Egypt hits record 19 million tourists in 2025

Egypt achieved a historic milestone in 2025, welcoming a record-breaking 19 million international tourists.

According to the latest data from UN Tourism (UNWTO) published in January 2026, this performance represents a 21% year-on-year increase, placing Egypt second globally for growth in tourist arrivals, trailing only Brazil. This surge significantly outpaced the global average growth rate of approximately 5%, cementing Egypt’s status as a premier global destination.

The country also saw substantial economic gains, with international tourism receipts growing by 17% in 2025. This achievement ranked Egypt third globally for revenue growth, following Morocco and South Korea. These financial results contributed to a strong year for the global sector, which saw total export revenues reach a record $2.2 trillion. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities attributed this success to enhanced security, improved air connectivity—including a 32% rise in charter flights—and the high-profile opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in late 2025.

Looking ahead to 2026, Minister of Tourism Sherif Fathy expressed optimism, projecting a further 5% to 7% increase in visitor numbers. While the UNWTO anticipates a more modest global growth of 3% to 4% due to geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs, Egypt remains positioned as a regional driver for the industry. The government continues to focus on diversifying its tourism products, ranging from cultural heritage to leisure and adventure travel, to maintain this upward momentum.