Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities Plans to Regulate Airbnb

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced plans to regulate Airbnb accommodations.

The new measures will bring properties listed on the platform under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, introducing guidelines that apply to serviced apartments, private rooms in shared homes, and other rental properties. An accreditation system based on safety and cleanliness standards will be established to differentiate approved listings from non-approved ones. 

The expansion of Airbnb in Egypt coincides with the government’s efforts to develop the hospitality sector in the country by diversifying accommodation options. The Egyptian government approved a EGP 50 billion initiative in July 2024 to expand hotel capacity in order to support the growing number of tourists into the country.

In 2023, nearly 15 million tourists visited Egypt, with over 7 million arriving in the first half of 2024.