The Egyptian tourism sector has shown resilience in the face of regional tensions, with significant growth in tourist arrivals and revenues. According to the Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), tourist arrivals reached 12.7 million in the January-August 2026 period, up from 12.2 million in the same period of 2025. This growth is a positive indicator for the sector, which has been impacted by various challenges in the region.
The IDSC has also reported an increase in tourism revenues, which rose to $12 billion from $11.8 billion over the same period. This growth is expected to continue, with the World Travel & Tourism Council forecasting the sector's contribution to gross domestic product to rise to $35.4 billion in 2026 from $34.4 billion in 2025. The sector's growth is also expected to lead to an increase in employment opportunities.
The hotel industry in Egypt is also experiencing significant growth, with the number of hotels under construction increasing to 185 with a total of 46,000 rooms in 2026, from 143 hotels with 33,900 rooms in 2025. This represents a substantial increase in hotel capacity, which is likely to support the growth of the tourism sector. The growth in hotel construction is a positive indicator for the sector's future prospects.
According to W Hospitality Group, the growth in hotel construction is part of a larger trend, with the number of hotels under construction in Egypt rising steadily over the past few years. In 2024, there were 109 hotels with 26,200 rooms, while in 2023, there were 103 hotels with 24,900 rooms. In 2022, there were 85 hotels with 21,300 rooms. This growth in hotel capacity is expected to support the increasing number of tourist arrivals.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also expressed optimism about Egypt's tourism sector, forecasting that tourism revenues will continue to rise in the coming years. The IMF expects Egypt's tourism revenues to rise from $19.9 billion in fiscal year 2025/26 to $20.8 billion in 2026/27, $22.9 billion in 2027/28, $25.4 billion in 2028/29, $27.9 billion in 2029/30, and $29.8 billion in 2030/31.
Despite the positive outlook, the tourism sector still faces challenges, including regional tensions and geopolitical uncertainties. However, the IDSC's infographics suggest that the sector is resilient and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. The sector's growth is also expected to have a positive impact on the broader economy, with the World Travel & Tourism Council forecasting an increase in employment opportunities.
The Egyptian government is likely to continue supporting the tourism sector, which is a significant contributor to the country's economy. The sector's growth is expected to have a positive impact on the country's GDP and employment opportunities, and the government is likely to implement policies to support the sector's continued growth. The IDSC's infographics provide valuable insights into the sector's performance and prospects.
Key points
- Egypt's tourism revenues rose to $12 billion in the January-August 2026 period, up from $11.8 billion in the same period of 2025.
- The number of hotels under construction in Egypt increased to 185 with a total of 46,000 rooms in 2026, from 143 hotels with 33,900 rooms in 2025.
- The World Travel & Tourism Council expects Egypt's tourism and travel sector to grow 3% in 2026 despite geopolitical tensions.
