Aswan Named Tourism 'City of the Year' for 2026

Aswan has been named Tourism City of the Year for 2026 by the Developing Eight Organisation for Economic Cooperation, after receiving the highest number of votes from member states.

The Egyptian city was selected ahead of competing nominations from Azerbaijan, Iran and Pakistan. The title follows the submission of a comprehensive tourism file that outlined Aswan’s economic, cultural and heritage strengths, alongside its capacity to attract visitors from diverse international markets.

The dossier was prepared with support from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Tourism and Antiquities, and presented a consolidated overview of the city’s tourism assets.

According to officials, the submission highlighted multiple tourism segments, including cultural and archaeological tourism, environmental and leisure activities, and therapeutic tourism. Nile-based tourism featured prominently, alongside safari experiences, angling and birdwatching, reflecting the breadth of offerings across the governorate.

Government bodies involved in the process said the selection was based on the depth and diversity of Aswan’s tourism portfolio, as well as its long-established historical and cultural standing.

The promotional materials submitted to the Developing Eight vote aimed to position Aswan as a destination capable of serving varied visitor profiles while sustaining year-round tourism activity.