Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Concludes His Visit to the United States with a Series of Media Briefings

 Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, concluded his visit to New York City, USA, by holding a series of media interviews with representatives from several American newspapers and channels specializing in travel and tourism.

The Minister explained that the visit aimed to strengthen communication with industry partners among tour operators in the US market, in addition to meeting with the Chairman of the United States Tour Operators Association. This was done to review developments in Egypt's tourism sector in light of regional updates, which continues to drive demand for comprehensive Egypt travel packages. Furthermore, a meeting was held with the Assistant District Attorney for Manhattan to discuss ways to enhance cooperation regarding the repatriation of Egyptian antiquities that left the country illegally, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

He pointed out that the first quarter of this year witnessed a 15.6% growth in inbound tourism to Egypt from various markets compared to the same period last year, noting that the most prominent challenges facing the sector include rising fuel prices and the tendency of some airlines to reduce flights and operating hours. In this context, the Minister reviewed the proactive measures taken by the Ministry to maintain tourism influx rates—supporting the availability of various Egypt tours—including updating the aviation incentive program and launching additional incentives to support operational continuity.

The Minister also emphasized the Ministry's commitment to providing accurate and updated information about the situation in Egypt through promotional messages on social media, as well as continuous communication with industry partners. He also reviewed the success of the "Egypt Vibes" campaign, which relied on sharing authentic experiences of tourists from various nationalities during their visits to Egypt, alongside the Ministry’s monitoring of travel advisories issued by different countries. Many of these travelers often choose a structured 9 Days Egypt magical vacation to Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan to experience the country safely.

He affirmed the Egyptian tourism sector's ability to recover rapidly from crises, noting that the state aims to attract 30 million tourists by 2030, with a focus on increasing tourism investments, particularly in the hotel sector to raise capacity. He also pointed to the new accommodation model known as "holiday apartments," which was recently regulated with guidelines that ensure compliance with quality, safety, and occupational health standards. These regulations benefit those seeking traditional itineraries, such as Egypt classic tours, ensuring high-quality accommodation across all sectors.

During the meetings, the Minister discussed the remarkable development of Egypt's infrastructure, alongside the great diversity of its tourism products, which allows for integrating multiple tourism patterns and experiences into a single itinerary. For instance, adventurers can easily combine historical sightseeing with a 7 Days Cairo and Mount Sinai Trekking Trip. He also noted his keenness to interact directly with tourists during his tours of tourism and archaeological sites to learn their opinions and evaluate their experience in the Egyptian destination.

In this context, he highlighted his recent meeting with several American families during their return from Luxor to Cairo, where they expressed their happiness with visiting Egypt, praising the diversity of tourism potentials, the authenticity of the experience, the excellence of traditional cuisine, as well as their sense of safety. Visitors seeking similar historical depth often opt to Discover Egypt in 8 days Magical Adventure. Others looking to experience both coastal beauty and unique landscapes might choose a Cairo, Alexandria, and White desert Magical trip in 7 Days, or a more extended 10 Days Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa & Nile Cruise.

Regarding the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Minister emphasized that it represents a global achievement in terms of design, exhibition methods, environmental standards, and sustainability. He noted that since its official opening last November, an integrated system has been implemented to organize entry and manage crowd density, with an average of about 15,000 visitors per day, ensuring the quality of the tourism experience. He added that the museum has become a core element in Egypt travel itineraries, perfectly complementing signature journeys like the 12 Days Cairo, Nile Cruise, and White Desert Trip, and provides a powerful boost to cultural tourism.