Egypt breaks its record with nearly 19 million tourists in 2025
A historic year for Egyptian tourism
The year 2025 will go down in the history of Egyptian tourism. With nearly 19 million international visitors, the country recorded a spectacular growth of 21% compared to 2024. This record figure confirms Egypt's strong comeback on the global tourism scene, after several years marked by security and health challenges. Cairo International Airport, the country's main gateway, played a central role in this momentum by welcoming a significant share of these tourist flows from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Archaeological sites were the main beneficiaries of this increase, with 18.6 million entries recorded, a remarkable 33.5% rise compared to the previous year. The Pyramids of Giza, the Temple of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, and the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum attracted record crowds. This exceptional attendance demonstrates the enduring appeal of pharaonic heritage among travelers worldwide, whether they are history enthusiasts or simply curious visitors seeking new experiences.
Air transport in full expansion
The air transport sector contributed significantly to these impressive results. Charter flights to Egypt increased by 32%, reflecting sustained demand from international tour operators, particularly European and Asian ones. Airlines multiplied direct connections to Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Hurghada, making it easier to access the country's main tourist destinations.
This growth in air traffic also benefited Egyptian airport infrastructure, which continued its modernization to handle the increasing passenger flows. Cairo Airport in particular expanded its capacity and improved traveler services, further consolidating its position as a major regional hub.
Record revenues and high ambitions
On the economic front, tourism generated revenues of $17.1 billion in 2025, an unprecedented figure that underscores the strategic importance of the sector for the Egyptian economy. Tourism now accounts for a considerable share of national GDP and is one of the country's main sources of foreign currency. These revenues have helped fund infrastructure projects and contribute to the country's economic stabilization.
Buoyed by these results, the Egyptian government has set an ambitious target: reaching 30 million tourists in the coming years. To achieve this, authorities are focusing on developing new hotel and transport infrastructure, diversifying the tourism offering toward beach, desert, and wellness tourism, and strengthening international promotion. The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, the modernization of airports, and the development of new resort areas along the Red Sea are key assets in making this ambition a reality.