Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Meets CEO of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)

 On the sidelines of his participation in FITUR 2026, Mr. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, met with Ms. Gloria Guevara, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The meeting aimed to explore avenues for strengthening cooperation between the Ministry and the Council in the coming period.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board (ETPB), Mr. Ahmed Nabil, Assistant Minister for Aviation and Follow-up, and Mr. Mohamed Mohsen, Head of the Iberia and Americas unit at the ETPB.

Egypt’s Strategic Vision and Growth

During the discussions, Minister Fathy outlined the Ministry’s strategy to position Egypt as a premier global destination through product diversification and quality enhancement. Key highlights included:

Record Growth: Egypt welcomed approximately 19 million tourists last year, marking a 21% increase compared to 2024.

Connectivity & Incentives: The Minister reviewed promotional efforts to link global cities with Egypt and detailed the Aviation Incentive Program, which provides support packages to international airlines to encourage more flights to Egyptian airports.

Targeting Emerging Markets

A significant portion of the meeting focused on attracting more visitors from Latin America, identified as a promising market. Both parties discussed expanding flight connectivity to tap into the high potential of this region.

The Role of WTTC

Ms. Gloria Guevara highlighted the WTTC's role as a leading global forum for the travel and tourism industry. Representing elite business leaders worldwide, the Council works closely with governments to raise awareness of the sector's vital role in driving economic growth and sustainable development.

Special Invitation to Egypt

In a notable gesture, the WTTC CEO invited Minister Fathy to participate in an upcoming high-level cruise expedition organized by the Council. This event will bring together tourism ministers and global industry leaders and is set to feature several prominent Egyptian tourist destinations in its itinerary.