Egypt Participates in UNWTO’s 122nd Executive Council Session

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities proudly participated in the 122nd session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council, held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. During the session, the villages of Gharb Suhail in Aswan Governorate and Abu Ghosoun in the Red Sea Governorate were celebrated as two of the Best Rural Tourism Villages for 2024.

The selection of these villages reflects their alignment with UNWTO’s rigorous standards for sustainable tourism and cultural preservation. The award shields and certificates were presented to Engineer Adel El Gendy, Director General of the General Administration of Strategic Management at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, during an official ceremony attended by prominent figures including: Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, Basma Al-Mayman, UNWTO Regional Director for the Middle East, the Mayor of Cartagena, and Colombia’s Minister of Economy and Tourism.

Expressing his pride in this accomplishment, Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, highlighted the ministry's commitment to rural tourism development.

"This achievement is the result of collective efforts. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to showcasing Egypt’s unique rural charm to the world," he said.

This recognition follows Egypt’s earlier successes, with Dahshur (Giza) and Siwa (Matrouh) making the 2023 list of Best Rural Tourism Villages, alongside Fuwah (Kafr El-Sheikh) in 2021 and Saint Catherine (South Sinai) in 2023, which were added to UNWTO’s promotion list.

Adel El Gendy emphasized the significance of this milestone, noting its impact on promoting Egypt’s rural tourism product globally.

"This platform by UNWTO elevates the visibility of Egypt’s unique rural destinations and highlights their contributions to job creation and economic growth," he remarked.

Since the announcement of the 2024 edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has undertaken a series of strategic measures to ensure the success of Gharb Suhail and Abu Ghosoun