Monday, 25 May 2026
Cairo targets record US visitor numbers by 2027
Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, began his visit to New York with a series of meetings on Friday with major US tour operators, aiming to strengthen cooperation and increase American travel to Egypt, the ministry said.
The talks, held at the Egyptian consulate in New York, focused on promoting Egypt as a secure and diverse destination amid regional tensions. Fathy expressed optimism about the sector’s outlook, noting that tourism from the US is projected to grow by 26 percent in 2025 compared with 2024. Tour operators also reported strong forward bookings through 2027, which they expect to mark unprecedented demand for the Egyptian destination.
Fathy highlighted Egypt’s recent hosting of major international events, including a high‑level World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) gathering on a cruise through the Suez Canal. He said such events reflected international confidence in Egypt’s stability.
He noted that US Special Envoy for Tourism and Values Nick Adams recently visited key sites including Historic Cairo’s religious complex, the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, sharing his experience with millions of followers online.
The minister underscored Egypt’s diverse tourism offerings, saying the ministry is working to integrate cultural, heritage, culinary and leisure experiences. He pointed to growing interest in emerging destinations such as New Alamein and the North Coast, supported by new tour programs starting from Sphinx International Airport and continuing to Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast.
Fathy said the ministry is expanding promotional campaigns, aviation incentives, and the new global marketing initiative “Egypt Vibes,” designed to highlight the country’s stability and visitor experience. He added that summer tourism in Sharm el‑Sheikh and Hurghada remains strong, with new incentives for flights to Luxor and Aswan.
While acknowledging some booking slowdowns due to regional conditions, Fathy said coordinated measures were taken to reduce cancellations and ensure travel advisories accurately reflect Egypt’s security situation.
Tour operators at the meetings described Egypt as a safe destination with rising appeal among American travelers seeking cultural, sports, arts and culinary experiences, as well as combined Red Sea and Giza pyramid packages.
Discussions also explored joint travel programs with other countries and highlighted EgyptAir’s regular flights to five US cities, with a new Los Angeles route launching Saturday to support growing demand.