Under the auspices of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and with the participation of Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Egypt officially launched today a high-level international event for the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Held aboard an Abercrombie & Kent vessel, the event is titled "Leading the Journey for Global Tourism Leaders: Recovery, Leadership, and Horizons of Transformation in the Tourism and Travel Sector over the Next Decade."
The event was attended by Mr. Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of the WTTC, and Ms. Gloria Guevara, CEO of the WTTC, along with 300 global tourism industry leaders, including ministers, heads of government agencies, WTTC members, and private sector representatives. Distinguished Egyptian attendees included Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the President; MP Sahar Talaat Mostafa, Chair of the Parliamentary Tourism Committee; and the CEOs of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), among other key officials.
In his welcoming speech, Minister Sherif Fathy highlighted Egypt as a land of incomparable diversity, offering a unique tourism experience that blends authenticity with modern appeal. He emphasized the ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Egypt's competitive edge. The Minister also addressed the importance of institutional leadership and a clear vision, noting that the sector achieved a 20% growth last year with a significant increase in tourism spending. He stressed the strategic balance between managing archaeological sites and developing the tourism sector, underscoring the commitment to preserving Egypt’s heritage for future generations while collaborating with the private sector to modernize services at historical sites.
Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, delivered a keynote address highlighting the tourism sector's robust performance, driven by state reforms. He noted that the sector achieved an average growth rate of 25.2% over the past four years post-pandemic, generating $16.7 billion in revenue during the 2024/2025 fiscal year. Dr. Rostom outlined the 2026/2027–2029/2030 development plan, which targets an economic growth rate of 5.4%, rising to 6.8% by the end of the period, with tourism serving as a primary driver. He praised the government’s proactive crisis management and noted that the diversification of tourism markets—particularly from Western Europe and Asia—has enhanced the sector's resilience.
Concluding the event, Minister Sherif Fathy extended his gratitude to the teams from the Ministry of Tourism, the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, the WTTC, and Abercrombie & Kent for their exceptional organization. As a token of appreciation, he presented gifts to the WTTC leadership, including a replica of King Khufu’s solar boat and King Tutankhamun’s golden mask. He also honored Mr. Amr Badr, Regional Director of Abercrombie & Kent, for his pivotal role in the success of the event. This gathering follows preliminary agreements made earlier this year in Madrid during the FITUR 2026 exhibition to further solidify Egypt’s position on the global tourism map.
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