Tourist arrivals to Egypt rose by 24% in the first half of this year, reaching 8.7 million visitors, supported by a recovery in travel demand and a relative easing of geopolitical tensions, according to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy.

He made the remarks during a press conference held today in Cairo, as reported by Asharq Bloomberg.

The minister’s comments align with the government's ambition to see a 14% increase in total tourist arrivals by the end of 2025, aiming to attract 18 million tourists. This target was outlined earlier in January by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

In 2024, Egypt’s tourism revenues rose by 9% year-on-year, reaching a new record of $15.3 billion, according to data released by the Central Bank of Egypt in May.

Red Sea resorts and Nile cruises, also recorded a 25% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals during Q1 2025, reaching 3.9 million visitors, Minister Fathy noted in a statement to Asharq last April.

This tourism rebound has encouraged the government to launch a 50 billion EGP initiative in October 2024 to support tourism companies and expand hotel capacity.

 The initiative offers loans at a declining interest rate of 12%, aimed at boosting the number of hotel rooms across the country.