EGYPT REVEALS AMBITIOUS TARGET OF 30 MILLION TOURIST BY 2028
Egypt is looking to increase its total international visitor numbers to 30 million by 2028.
This ambitious target would mean a growth in arrivals between 25% and 30% annually according to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa.
Egypt hit a record year for tourism in 2010 when the African country welcomed 14.7 million travellers. In 2019, the last year before covid hit world tourism, Egypt had received 13.03 million international visitors, a 14.8% increase over 2018 figures. Last year, Egypt tourism continued its recovery. During the first half of 2022, it welcomed over 4.9 million tourists, an 85.4% increase over the same period of 2021, according to Egypt’s national statistics agency CAPMAS. It is likely that more than 10 million travellers rediscovered the charms of the African country last year.
30 million tourists and US$30 billion in revenues
The country’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa has extremely ambitious plans. In a speech delivered this month at the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo, Issa revealed its target of 30 million tourists and $30 billion (€27bn) in tourism revenues by 2028.
Recent forecasts from International Monetary Fund (IMF) predict an increase in tourism sector revenues to $11.3 billion in 2022/2023, $14.2 billion in 2023/2024 to finally reach $26. 5 billion in 2026/2027.
To reach these targets, the Minister explained that the Egyptian government is looking forward to launching a national strategy for tourism in the first quarter of this year.
“Tourism is a major source of hard currency for the country, so we have to find ways to increase the amount of spending per tourist,” said Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, during his meeting with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce. “By working to improve the services and products we offer, as well as strengthening the position of the sector.”