The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has successfully restored Egypt’s status as a leading global tourism destination. Backed by ambitious government strategies—including infrastructure development, diversification of tourism products, and enhanced service quality and having overcome previous crises, Egypt is now well positioned to capture its fair share of international tourist traffic.

The event was attended by current and former governors, ambassadors accredited to Cairo, business leaders, investors, international partners, and senior officials from the tourism and antiquities sectors.

In this context, the Canada Egypt Business Council (CEBC) and the Egyptian Business Council for International Cooperation (ECIC) had the honor of hosting H.E. Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, to discuss the topic: “The Future of Egyptian Tourism… Opportunities and Challenges.”

In his opening remarks, Eng. Moataz Raslan, Chairman of CEBC and ECIC, expressed his appreciation for the significant efforts undertaken to develop the tourism sector.

When speaking about tourism, he noted that all indicators confirm that Egypt knows exactly where it is heading and is working seriously and determinedly to achieve its goal of restoring Egypt to its natural position as a leading global tourist destination. The record-breaking figures achieved this year, he added, are clear evidence that the country is moving steadily in the right direction.

The floor was then given to H.E. Mr. Sherif Fathy, who began by expressing his appreciation for the invitation, describing it as a valuable opportunity to review and discuss the latest developments in Egypt’s tourism and antiquities sectors.

He outlined the Ministry’s current strategy, which focuses on highlighting Egypt’s rich diversity of tourism assets, products, and experiences under the slogan “Unmatched Diversity.” He emphasized that Egypt is a well-established tourist destination and that its exceptional diversity qualifies it to rank among the leading countries globally in terms of tourism variety.

Within this framework, efforts are underway to develop all tourism products and patterns, while also linking and integrating multiple tourism experiences into a single journey in cooperation with local and international tour operators and travel companies. This approach aims to attract visitors to emerging tourism products alongside traditional ones. He noted that Egypt’s significant infrastructure development particularly its expanding road network will greatly support this tourism integration.

Discussing the industry’s performance, the Minister described Egypt’s tourism sector as resilient and capable of rapid recovery following crises. Tourist arrivals grew by 7% last year despite geopolitical challenges in the region. This year is witnessing notable growth in both arrivals and tourism spending, with total arrivals expected to reach nearly 19 million tourists by year-end from various international markets.

In light of this progress and based on current and projected indicators, Egypt is now expected to achieve its tourism target of thirty million tourists by 2030, one year earlier than originally planned.

The Minister further highlighted the growing demand for cultural tourism in Egypt, pointing to an increase of approximately four million international visitors to Egyptian museums and archaeological sites an extremely positive indicator reflecting rising global interest in this distinctive tourism product.

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum was a spectacular event, showcasing Egypt’s rich heritage and global stature while reflecting strong political support for this iconic cultural landmark. Visitors, both Egyptian and international, turned out in unprecedented numbers, highlighting the world’s excitement to experience Egypt’s timeless treasures. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit, the Ministry introduced timed entry slots and a fully integrated electronic booking system. Alongside the ongoing development of the Giza Pyramids area, these measures make every visit seamless, memorable, and truly inspiring.

The seminar concluded with affirmation that Egypt possesses all the necessary assets to become a global tourism powerhouse, particularly with the full support of the political leadership for this strategic sector.

The floor was then opened for questions from CEBC and ECIC guests, to which the Minister actively responded.