Tourism Boom in Egypt 2025 : Hotels Overflowing, New Museums, and Visitor Surge

Published on August 19, 2025

Tourism in Egypt in 2025 has bounced back strong and is growing fast. Since January, Egypt has seen about a 23 to 24 per cent jump in international visitors. Hotels nationwide are averaging over 80 per cent full. Popular Red Sea spots like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are nearly booked solid during busy weeks, and Cairo and Giza are still busy thanks to travellers exploring the country’s rich culture.

Egypt’s tourism rebound is being driven by government efforts designed to draw more visitors. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced inbound travel rose by 26 per cent from January to May 2025. By midyear, 8.7 million tourists had come to the country, putting Egypt on course for a record total by year’s end.

Revenues and Spending Growth

Financial indicators have pointed toward strong resilience. Tourism revenues for the first half of 2025 were calculated at US $8 billion, reflecting a 22 per cent increase over the same period in 2024. Spending projections provided by the World Travel & Tourism Council estimated EGP 768 billion in international tourist spending for 2025, while domestic tourism spending was forecast at EGP 460 billion.

Hotel revenues followed the same trend. Average daily rates (ADR) at branded hotels increased sharply, moving from EGP 1,328 in 2019 to EGP 4,965 in 2024. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose from EGP 888 to EGP 3,203 over the same period, reflecting both higher demand and currency devaluation effects.

Expansion of Hotels and Rooms

Capacity to host visitors has been boosted through a wave of hotel developments. According to industry data, Egypt ranked first in Africa in 2025 for hotel projects in the pipeline. A total of 143 hotels with almost 34,000 rooms have been under construction or development, representing a sharp rise from 109 hotels with about 26,000 rooms in 2023.

This building trend builds on growth recorded in 2021, when hotel capacity already exceeded 210,000 rooms across 1,750 properties nationwide. Resort regions have been the main focus, though Cairo and Giza have also received major investments due to proximity to cultural landmarks and the upcoming Grand Egyptian Museum.

The Grand Egyptian Museum: A New Icon

Anticipation for the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been building for years, and its full opening has finally been scheduled. After delays, the museum will be inaugurated on November 1, 2025, with public access beginning on November 4. The date was chosen to align with the anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The museum, situated near the Giza pyramids, has been designed to house over 100,000 artefacts. It is expected that the GEM will serve as a cultural anchor, increasing tourist length of stay in Cairo and driving demand for hotels in the surrounding area.

Visitor Origins and Seasonal Trends

Tourists have been arriving in larger numbers from European markets, including Germany, Italy, and Russia, as well as regional markets such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. Charter flights to coastal cities have been restored, while improved visa rules—including a five-year tourist visa and expanded visa-on-arrival eligibility—have been introduced to simplify entry requirements.

The Red Sea coast has been described as a top performer, with occupancy often surpassing 90 per cent in summer months. Cairo, Giza, and Luxor have received steady inflows from cultural tourists, while Aswan and Nile cruises have seen seasonal peaks.

Challenges Faced

Despite the upward curve, challenges have been noted. Safety in niche tourism segments has come under scrutiny following the Red Sea tourist submarine disaster in March 2025, in which six lives were lost. The operator’s services were suspended while a government investigation was launched. Such incidents have reminded the industry that stricter safety oversight remains essential if growth is to be sustained without reputational risks.

Employment and Outlook

Tourism has bounced back to become one of Egypt’s biggest sources of jobs. The sector supported 2.7 million jobs in 2024—more than before the pandemic—and it now makes up a big chunk of all jobs in the country. More hotel openings, the Grand Egyptian Museum finally welcoming visitors, and strong interest in our cultural and beach experiences all point to even more job growth in the coming years.

Looking ahead to 2025 and further, Egypt is on a bright and upward path. More tourists are choosing Egypt every year, revenues are climbing, key infrastructure is being expanded, and the Great Egyptian Museum is creating a worldwide buzz. Together, these factors are firmly establishing Egypt as a top spot to visit in the Middle East and Africa.