Why is Egyptian tourism booming? Experts explain
Egypt’s tourism industry saw strong recovery in 2025, driven by a combination of improved security, lower costs for tourists following the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, and an unprecedented boost from the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in the last quarter of the year, Asharq News reported citing officials and investors in the sector.
Egypt welcomed approximately 19 million tourists during the year, exceeding initial estimates of 18 million, representing 21 percent increase compared to 2024.
Tourism revenues are expected to reach nearly US$24 billion, compared to $15.3 billion in 2024.
Furthermore, the country’s diverse tourist destinations attracted flights from approximately 193 cities worldwide during 2025, a clear indication of the expanding international flight network and the growing demand for visiting the country, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Stability despite regional unrest
The head of the Egyptian Tourism Federation, Hossam al-Shaer, explained that the security stability Egypt has maintained despite regional tensions – particularly the war in Gaza – has been the decisive factor in the tourist boom.
He adds that “tourists in Egypt get better value for their money compared to competing countries, whether for beach or cultural tourism.”
The chairman of Blue Sky Tourism Tamer al-Shaer agrees, noting that prices in Egypt have become more competitive since the liberalization of the Egyptian pound’s exchange rate.
The Egyptian pound depreciated by about 62 percent against the US dollar, approaching LE 50 to the dollar after the liberalization, before later recovering some of its losses and currently stabilizing below LE 48 to the US currency.
Boom caused by Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening
The head of the Foreign Tourism Committee at the Chamber of Tourism Companies, Karim al-Menbawy, believes that the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum led to a “clear boom” in tourist numbers during the last two months of 2025, especially given the extensive coverage by foreign media outlets, which he considers more effective than local campaigns.