Egypt Aims for 30 Million Tourists After Record 19 Million Visitors

Egypt’s government has set a target of attracting 30 million tourists in 2026, with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announcing the goal following a record year in which the country received 19 million visitors.

Speaking at a meeting in the New Administrative Capital on tourism and border procedures, Madbouly stated that current trends suggest further growth is possible, while linking the increase in arrivals to the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).

The meeting included the ministers of tourism, civil aviation, and communications, alongside representatives from the interior and foreign affairs ministries, customs authorities, and digital infrastructure teams, and outlined measures aimed at speeding up processing times and improve the overall operational efficiency at border points.

The discussion focused on measures to improve the visitor experience from the point of entry, including efforts to streamline airport procedures, expand hotel capacity, and reduce congestion at key entry points. Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsani said officials reviewed a pilot programme for an integrated electronic visa system and proposals to simplify emergency visa issuance, while it was also revealed this week that Egyptian airports will replace immigration arrival/departure cards with a digital system starting February.