Italian tourist arrivals to Egypt rose by 15% from January through the first week of June 2026 compared to the same period last year, underscoring the resilience of Egypt’s tourism sector despite regional challenges.
During his official visit to Rome and Milan, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, met with Pier Ezhaya, President of the Italian Association of Tour Operators (ASTOI), alongside leading Italian tour operators and airline executives. The meetings focused on expanding tourist flows from Italy—one of Egypt’s most important European source markets.
Fathy reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with tour operators across all source markets, noting the rising popularity of destinations such as the Red Sea, Luxor, and Aswan, as well as the growing number of independent Italian travelers.
Discussions centered on joint promotional campaigns, influencer partnerships, and familiarization trips for Italian travel companies and media representatives to showcase Egypt’s diverse offerings. The Minister outlined Egypt’s tourism strategy, which emphasizes combining multiple experiences within a single itinerary—from Sphinx International Airport to the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Alexandria, and the North Coast—to encourage repeat visits.
He also highlighted government investments in infrastructure, including the development of Alamein International Airport, a new terminal at Cairo International Airport, and upgrades to road networks such as the Marsa Alam–Luxor route. The near-complete Akhenaten Museum in Minya was cited as a future highlight for Nile cruise itineraries.
Pier Ezhaya praised ASTOI’s strong partnership with the Egyptian Tourism Authority, noting rising demand for domestic flights between Cairo and Marsa Alam. He emphasized that Marsa Alam and Alamein are now among the most popular destinations for Italian travelers.
Ezhaya concluded by commending Egypt’s tourism sector for its resilience, rapid recovery, and sustained growth momentum, positioning the country as a leading destination for Italian visitors.
