Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy
Egypt eases rules to boost holiday home market for international tourists
Egypt has announced a significant move to attract more international tourists by simplifying regulations for private homeowners wishing to open their apartments and villas as holiday rentals.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy revealed this week that an agreement has been reached with the state’s Urban Communities Authority to exempt residential property owners from special fees if they choose to convert their units—such as apartments or villas—into short-term holiday rentals for tourists.
The announcement responds to a surge in demand for alternative accommodation options. Minister Fathy noted that tourists are increasingly seeking more private and flexible lodging, particularly in coastal areas and newly developed tourist cities.
So far, eight specialized companies have been approved to convert 56 residential units into holiday homes across several high-demand Egyptian destinations. These include both apartments and villas located in areas popular with tourists.
The move is part of Egypt’s wider strategy to broaden its tourism investment horizons and increase accommodation capacity, in line with international standards. Minister Fathy emphasized that these measures will help Egypt welcome and accommodate the expected growth in tourist arrivals in the coming years.
At the same time, the Ministry pledged to regulate the emerging holiday home sector by introducing administrative and technical standards. The aim is to ensure quality, facilitate easy booking, and maintain environmental and security standards—safeguarding the interests of both tourists and property owners.
This latest initiative reflects Egypt's commitment to diversifying its tourism offerings and enhancing the visitor experience in an increasingly competitive global market.