Egyptian Tourism Minister Sharif Fathi emphasized the country's unique tourism diversity as a major competitive advantage. He highlighted the importance of showcasing this diversity in promotional activities targeting the Japanese market. This approach allows Egypt to reach different age groups and demographics, showcasing the authenticity of the tourist experience and the evolution of luxury tourism products in Egypt.
Fathi participated in the Japan International Tourism Expo, where he discussed the average stay of tourists in Egypt, which is around 10 days. This duration enables the creation of varied programs combining multiple tourism products, such as cultural, beach, entertainment, and desert tourism. These programs provide tourists with a comprehensive experience, encouraging longer stays.
The minister reviewed the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to update promotional tools and utilize modern technology and artificial intelligence applications. This enables more effective outreach to different tourist segments based on their interests and expectations. He also highlighted Egypt's infrastructure development, particularly in road networks and transportation.
Fathi noted that cities like Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada have become year-round tourist destinations. He also mentioned the growing demand for Luxor and Aswan during the summer season, especially with lower prices during this period. The minister further pointed out the development in the North Coast region and the new city of El Alamein, which is experiencing an urban and tourism boom.
Regarding tourism investments, Fathi stated that the ministry is working to attract more investments, particularly in the hotel sector. This aims to increase hotel capacity and support the expected growth in tourist arrivals to Egypt. Japanese tour organizers and travel agency representatives expressed the importance of Egypt as a destination for the Japanese market.
Despite the impact of events in the Middle East on Japanese travel, they noted stable numbers of Japanese tourists visiting Egypt this year. The representatives showed interest in new tourism products and experiences, seeking to expand the target audience, especially among young people. They also expressed interest in preparing programs that combine various tourism experiences and destinations Egypt has to offer.
The Japanese tour organizers highlighted the growing demand for tourism programs that include visits to the Grand Egyptian Museum. They suggested that offering new programs and experiences could stimulate demand and attract more Japanese tourists to Egypt during the summer. Some organizers mentioned plans to offer programs combining visits to Alexandria and the cities of Luxor and Aswan, allowing tourists to enjoy Egypt's diverse tourism offerings.
Key points
- Egypt targets new tourist segments with diverse entertainment and cultural programs
- The country aims to increase hotel capacity and attract more tourism investments
- Egyptian tourism authorities are promoting the country in the Japanese market through various initiatives
