Egypt’s tourism sector has seen a remarkable rebound, with the country receiving a record-breaking 15.7 million tourists in 2024, according to a statement released by the Egyptian cabinet.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly made the announcement at a weekly news conference in the country’s new administrative capital, located east of Cairo. He hailed the figures as “promising” and expressed optimism for the future of Egypt’s tourism industry.

The significant increase marks a sharp recovery from the lows experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the country saw a sharp decline in tourist arrivals, with numbers dropping to just 3.7 million due to global travel restrictions and lockdowns.

However, the sector has shown a steady upward trajectory since then, with 2021 seeing 8 million tourists, 2022 reaching 11.7 million, and 2023 seeing 14.9 million visitors.

Despite the growth, Prime Minister Madbouly noted that regional events had hindered the full potential of the tourism industry.

“If it weren’t for the events that took place in the region, the number of tourists would have reached 18 million,” Madbouly remarked.

His statement reflects the challenges Egypt has faced in the context of regional instability, which has sometimes deterred international travelers from visiting. Looking ahead, Egypt is setting ambitious targets for the tourism sector in 2025.

Madbouly expressed confidence that the country would reach the milestone of 18 million visitors next year, driven in part by the much-anticipated official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The museum, which is set to showcase thousands of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun, is expected to draw millions of international visitors to Egypt when it opens later this year.

Tourism is one of the cornerstones of Egypt’s economy, contributing significantly to its foreign currency reserves.

The sector, alongside revenues from the Suez Canal, exports, and remittances from Egyptian expatriates, plays a crucial role in the country’s financial stability.

With the tourism industry continuing to recover, the Egyptian government hopes to further strengthen its economy and attract even more visitors in the coming years.

The success of Egypt’s tourism sector in 2024 comes at a time when the government is actively working to diversify its sources of revenue and boost economic growth.

With the ongoing recovery and the expected boost from the Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt is poised to continue its upward trajectory as a leading global tourism destination.

As Egypt sets its sights on attracting 18 million tourists by 2025, the future of the country’s tourism industry looks bright, offering a hopeful outlook for both the economy and the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on this vital sector.