Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt boosts tourism partnerships at FITUR 2026 in Madrid
At FITUR 2026, the International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid, Egypt launched an agenda focused on strengthening partnerships and encouraging inbound tourism from Spain and Latin America.
A series of high-level meetings took place at the Egyptian pavilion, gathering influential tour operators from Spain and Latin America. These discussions aimed to create new opportunities, foster collaboration, and showcase Egypt’s unique attractions as a premier travel destination.
Participating in the discussions were Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, along with representatives from major tour operators including Viajes Carrefour & Dynamic Tours, El Corte Inglés, and Avoris. Egypt’s Ambassador to Spain, Ihab Badawi, Dr. Ahmed Yusuf, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, Mohamed Mohsen, Director of the Iberia and Americas Unit, and Ahmed Nabil, Advisor to the Minister for Aviation and Follow-up, were also in attendance.
Minister Fathi provided updates on Egypt’s latest tourism sector developments and outlined the ministry’s current promotion and marketing strategies. He emphasized the importance of aligning tour operator campaigns with Egypt’s new tourism policies to ensure effective collaboration and impact.
Under Egypt’s “Unmatched Diversity” campaign, Minister Fathi underscored the need to diversify tourism offerings, targeting new customer segments with a range of experiences. While cultural tourism remains popular among Spanish visitors, he urged operators to expand promotional efforts to include beach, adventure, safari, and spiritual tourism. Integrated travel itineraries connecting cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Alamein, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Saint Catherine, and Sharm El Sheikh were proposed to enrich visitor experiences.
Highlighting Egypt’s year-round tourism potential, Minister Fathi called on operators to promote summer travel alongside traditional winter trips, citing attractive state incentives for off-peak visitation.
He also addressed the importance of positioning Egypt as a destination for high-spending travelers by emphasizing premium, high-quality services. The minister advocated for shifting perceptions away from Egypt as a low-cost market, noting that service excellence and appropriately priced offerings are fundamental to attracting discerning tourists.
The Minister pointed to robust growth on the North Coast and in New Alamein City, which saw a 450% surge in charter flights in 2025, branding these destinations as emerging international hotspots.
Tour operators expressed strong optimism for Egypt’s tourism prospects, describing 2025 as a record-breaking year with steady demand and predicting further growth in 2026. Viajes Carrefour & Dynamic Tours reported monthly tourist inquiries for Egypt ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 across their markets, underscoring the country’s strong appeal.
In support of Egypt’s tourism expansion, operators announced plans to convene a professional forum in mid-February, hosting around 250 tourism companies and operators to showcase Egypt’s varied attractions. They requested facilitation of entry procedures at popular sites, including additional access points at temples during peak periods to alleviate congestion.
El Corte Inglés praised high demand for Egypt but highlighted challenges related to competitive pricing. Minister Fathi assured participants that the ministry continues to monitor and address any irregular pricing practices.
Operators also pledged to increase promotion of lesser-known North Coast and Alamein destinations among Spanish travelers, scheduling a familiarization trip for agents and companies in May. Another collaborative initiative will see Spanish bloggers, influencers, and journalists visit these regions to enhance promotional efforts.
Avoris representatives reported a successful year in 2025 and reaffirmed their commitment to the Egyptian market, expecting sustained growth in the coming year.
These proactive engagements underscore Egypt’s strategic commitment to strengthening its ties with European and Latin American markets, coinciding with its dynamic presence at FITUR 2026, held in Madrid from January 21-25.