Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Shreef Fathy recently opened the Ahram Egypt Tourism Forum, held under the auspices of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The event, taking place at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, brings together prominent figures from the tourism sector. Fathy emphasized the significance of such gatherings in promoting dialogue on crucial issues affecting Egypt's tourism industry. The forum features discussions on enhancing the country's competitiveness as a global tourist destination.
During his opening speech, Fathy outlined the current strategy of the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry. He highlighted the ministry's focus on showcasing Egypt's diverse tourism products, which he believes are unmatched globally. Key aspects of the strategy include promoting investment in tourism, diversifying tourism products, and developing human resources. Fathy also stressed the importance of monitoring and evaluating the sector's performance regularly.
The minister expressed his optimism about Egypt's tourism prospects, citing the country's unique blend of cultural and natural attractions. He noted that Egypt offers a wide range of tourism experiences, from cultural and historical tours to beach and adventure tourism. Fathy also mentioned that the country is witnessing a shift towards luxury tourism, which is expected to contribute to the sector's growth.
According to Fathy, Egypt aims to attract 30 million tourists annually. He revealed that the ministry is monitoring progress toward this goal, taking into account various factors such as hotel capacity and airline seats. The minister emphasized that reaching this target would be a significant milestone, but not the ultimate goal. He expressed confidence in Egypt's potential to become a leading tourist destination.
Fathy announced that Egypt is expected to receive around 20 million tourists this year. He attributed the sector's growth to the country's diverse tourism products and its rich cultural heritage. The minister also highlighted the positive reviews from tourists, citing various online platforms that have praised Egypt's tourism experience.
In terms of marketing and promotion, Fathy noted that the ministry is increasingly relying on digital marketing tools, including social media platforms. He emphasized that marketing is a complex science, and the ministry is working to develop a comprehensive marketing plan for each target market. The plan is designed to be flexible and adaptable to changing market conditions.
The minister also discussed the importance of developing human resources in the tourism sector. He mentioned the launch of the EGTAP platform, which provides training and education programs for professionals in the tourism and antiquities sectors. Fathy expressed his pride in the collaboration between the ministry and the private sector in delivering these training programs.
Key points
- Egypt aims to attract 20 million tourists by 2026.
- The country is shifting towards luxury tourism to provide a more premium experience for visitors.
- The tourism sector is expected to support around 220,000 jobs for every million tourists.
