Egypt Receives 19 Million Tourists in Historic Growth in 2025
North African powerhouse, Egypt recorded a landmark growth in the tourism sector, receiving 19 million tourists in 2025. A report from State Information Service, shows that the country’s tourism sector delivered an exceptional performance in 2025, marking one of its strongest years on record and reaffirming the country’s position as a leading global destination.
According to official figures announced in a statement by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt welcomed nearly 19 million tourists during the year, achieving a 21 percent increase compared to 2024—well above global tourism growth trends.
This robust performance significantly outpaced the global average growth rate of 5 percent, as estimated by the UN Tourism, underscoring Egypt’s growing competitiveness and resilience.
The surge was supported by strong air connectivity. Charter flight traffic to Egyptian tourist destinations rose by 32 percent, reflecting renewed confidence among international tour operators and travellers alike. One of the standout success stories of the year was New Alamein City, which recorded an unprecedented 450 percent increase in charter flights, rapidly establishing itself as a new focal point on the global tourism map.
Cultural tourism also posted remarkable gains. Archaeological sites and museums across the country, excluding the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), welcomed 18.6 million visitors, representing a 33.5 percent year-on-year increase. The figures highlight sustained international interest in Egypt’s unique cultural heritage, alongside broader diversification in tourism offerings.
Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Marsa Alam airports led the way in tourist arrivals, reflecting the geographical diversity of Egypt’s tourism destinations and their appeal to multiple source markets. The strong performance also points to the success of recent investments in tourism infrastructure, airports, and service quality.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy described 2025 as a milestone year for Egyptian tourism, citing the country’s security and stability, a clear strategic vision, and an integrated approach focused on diversifying tourism products and enhancing visitor experiences. He emphasized that Egypt’s ability to combine cultural, beach, leisure, and entertainment tourism within a single destination remains unmatched globally.
He also extended appreciation to the political leadership and the government for their coordinated efforts across state institutions, which he said were instrumental in creating an enabling environment for tourism growth.
He congratulated the private tourism sector and ministry staff for their role in achieving these results.
Further highlighting Egypt’s expanding global reach, tourist flights were operated from 193 cities worldwide to various Egyptian destinations throughout 2025, signalling a broad and growing international demand.
Looking ahead, Fathy confirmed that the ministry plans to build on this momentum, with a focus on sustainable tourism growth that delivers long-term economic benefits and further consolidates Egypt’s status as one of the world’s most important tourism destinations.
