Cairo a future tourism hub amid rapid growth: Here’s how

Published on October 7, 2024

By: Paramita Sarkar

Cairo, Egypt’s bustling capital, is emerging as a rising star in the global tourism landscape, according to the “Global Cities’ Readiness for Sustainable Tourism Growth-Destination 2030” report.

The report highlights Cairo’s untapped potential and calls for improvements in urban readiness to accommodate its increasing visitor numbers.

Cairo, along with cities like Riyadh, Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi, and Lisbon, is experiencing rapid tourism growth, outpacing the average rates of other major cities.

These destinations, traditionally not reliant on tourism, now have a unique opportunity for long-term expansion as they develop their travel and tourism infrastructure from a relatively clean slate.

Cairo’s rich cultural and historical attractions make it an attractive destination, but for sustained growth, the report emphasizes the need for improved urban infrastructure, including connectivity, healthcare, and accessibility. Proactive urban planning will be key to managing the expected surge in tourists.

While high-visitor cities like Mexico City and Beijing focus on refining their already established urban readiness, Cairo is seen as a city with significant room for growth.

The report, produced by JLL and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), underscores the travel and tourism sector’s economic significance, with tourism outpacing global economic growth before the pandemic.

As the world continues to urbanize, with 55% of the global population living in cities, destinations like Cairo are well-positioned to benefit from increased interest in urban tourism.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the sector, but as recovery begins, the pause in travel has provided cities with the chance to reevaluate and enhance their tourism strategies.

Cairo’s future as a major tourism hub will depend on how well it can adapt to the growing demands of the industry while benefiting local communities.

In contrast, cities like Dubai have already established strong policies to support tourism growth, and Riyadh is making strides as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, creating competition for cities like Cairo as they all vie for a share of the global tourism market.