A report by the US rating agency Fitch has disclosed its projections regarding the performance of Egypt’s tourism sector for 2026.
The report reviewed the agency’s forecasts for the Egyptian tourism sector throughout 2026, addressing the momentum seen in the number of tourist arrivals to Egypt and the impact of the Egyptian tourism market on the global stage.
Furthermore, the report highlighted the efforts the state is undertaking to enhance the tourism sector and elevate its position within the Egyptian economy.
Full recovery and strong arrival growth forecast
The report—published by the Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet—affirmed the positive outlook for the tourism sector in Egypt.
Fitch forecasts that the number of tourist arrivals to Egypt will rise to million in 2026, marking a year-on-year increase of compared to the previous year.
Tourist arrivals are then expected to continue increasing until 2029 at an annual growth rate of , reaching million tourists.
The report indicated that Egypt’s tourism sector has achieved a complete recovery from the effects of the pandemic.
Arrivals in 2023 rose by , exceeding 2019 levels by .
Meanwhile, 2022 had already recorded a growth, reaching million tourists, following a increase in 2021 after a sharp collapse in 2020 when visitor numbers dropped to million due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, compared to approximately million tourists in 2019.
Europe remains primary market and winter destination
Fitch forecasts that the number of tourists from Europe will reach million in 2026, compared to million before the pandemic.
This makes Europe the primary source of tourism in Egypt in the short to medium term. Egypt benefits from key markets such as the UK, Germany, Italy, and France, while also expanding its targeting of Eastern European markets like Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
The report emphasized that Egypt retains its appeal as a preferred winter destination for Europeans seeking moderately priced holidays, even while the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia continue to restrict the flow of tourists from those two markets.
Egypt is considered an attractive option for Russian tourists due to its proximity and reasonable prices, especially as available destinations for them have shrunk and prices have risen in Europe.
Resilience and revenue projections
The report indicates that the future performance of Egyptian tourism will remain strong, with an expected average annual growth rate in arrivals of through 2029. Egypt is considered a well-established tourist market with developed hotel infrastructure in the Red Sea, Luxor, Aswan, and Cairo.
It offers a mix of beach, cultural, and historical tourism, boasting seven sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Furthermore, the industry is characterized by its resilience and ability to recover after periods of political turmoil, particularly its recovery during the 2017–2019 period.
The continued growth in arrivals is expected due to affordable offerings, improved services, and the devaluation of the local currency.
Regarding international tourism revenue in Egypt, the report anticipates that, paralleling the increase in tourist numbers, revenues will rise to $17.8 billion USD in 2026, marking a increase over the previous year. Revenues are projected to continue growing, reaching $19.1 billion in 2029 at an annual rate of .
The sector benefits from spending by tourists arriving from markets with high purchasing power, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
GVA and outbound travel trends
The report also indicates an expected growth in Egypt’s Gross Value Added (GVA) from accommodation and food services by in 2026, reaching LE billion com
The government supports the sector by encouraging local and international spending, with global chains continuing to invest in luxury hotels on the Red Sea coast.
It also anticipated that outbound trips from Egypt will grow by , reaching million in 2026. This number is expected to continue rising, reaching million in 2029, with an average annual growth rate of .
These trips primarily focus on Middle Eastern destinations due to their proximity and low cost, in addition to business and family ties, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia being a major destination, primarily for Hajj pilgrimage.
The report concluded by emphasizing that Egypt relies on long standing expertise in tourism marketing. Its campaigns have expanded from Europe to the Gulf and North African markets.
It notes that in 2022, the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion launched the “Follow the Sun” campaign in Europe and “Your Vacation is Here”in Middle Eastern markets, targeting tourists from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism continues to work alongside with bloggers and influencers to promote Egyptian destinations.
