WTTC Recognizes H.E. Sherif Fathy for Driving Egypt’s US$34.4 Billion Tourism Boom

At the 26th Global Summit in Valletta, the World Travel & Tourism Council celebrated Minister Sherif Fathy’s leadership in boosting Egypt’s tourism sector, highlighting his commitment to public-private collaboration and infrastructure investments like the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Valletta, Malta — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has awarded H.E. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, its prestigious Global Champion Award. The recognition honors his strategic leadership in advancing Egypt’s Travel & Tourism sector and his unwavering dedication to fostering public-private collaboration.

The award was presented during the WTTC’s 26th Global Summit in Valletta, an event that convened over 1,000 delegates, including more than 200 of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government officials.

A Testament to Resilience and Growth

The Global Champion Award is reserved for public leaders whose policies have significantly enhanced the growth, competitiveness, and global visibility of the Travel & Tourism industry while championing cooperation between governments and the private sector. Under Minister Fathy’s guidance, Egypt has solidified its status as one of the most dynamic destinations in the Middle East and Africa, driven by a clear vision for investment and international competitiveness.

Minister Fathy has long been a vocal advocate for public-private partnerships, emphasizing that sustainable growth relies on close cooperation between state entities and industry players. This approach appears to be yielding substantial results. According to WTTC research, Egypt’s tourism sector contributed US$34.4 billion to the national economy in 2025 and welcomed nearly 19 million international visitors.

Infrastructure and Iconic Landmarks

Egypt’s continued investment in tourism infrastructure has been pivotal to this success. Recent developments include expanding hotel capacity, strengthening aviation connectivity, and enhancing overall visitor experiences. A major milestone in this effort was the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has further reinforced Egypt’s appeal as one of the world’s most iconic cultural destinations.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of the WTTC, praised the Minister’s approach during the ceremony. “Minister Fathy has demonstrated a strong commitment to public-private collaboration, recognising that the most successful tourism destinations are built through genuine partnership between governments and industry,” Guevara stated.

She added that Egypt’s achievements reflect not only the country’s extraordinary historical assets but also a clear ambition to create an environment conducive to investment and innovation. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Minister Fathy and his team as Egypt continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism destinations.”

Strengthening Institutional Ties

The relationship between the WTTC and Egypt has deepened beyond individual accolades. In August 2026, the Egyptian Tourism Authority officially joined the WTTC as a Destination Partner. This move reinforces a shared commitment to sustainable tourism growth, increased investment, and deeper engagement with the global private sector.

As Egypt pursues ambitious future growth targets, the synergy between government policy and private sector agility remains critical for attracting investment, creating jobs, and developing new tourism products that enhance the nation’s global standing.

^{Cover image. “Global Summit Malta 2026 – Gala Dinner – Sherif” by World Travel & Tourism Council, CC BY 4.0}