Egypt achieves the highest tourism revenues among North African countries in 2025 and aims to double its yacht tourism revenues to $3 billion annually, writes Ahmad Abdel Rahman.
A recent report showed that Egypt leads North African countries in tourism revenues, with a significant increase in the number of incoming tourists. This development has strengthened Egypt's position as one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Africa. This is especially important since tourism revenues are one of the most important sources of foreign exchange for these countries.
Africa Le 360 website noted the significant growth in the number of tourists arriving in North Africa, which in turn was reflected in increased travel revenues. Total tourism revenues in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia reached approximately USD15.06 billion by the end of June 2025, an increase of 19.52 percent compared to the same period last year.
While Morocco and Egypt were close in terms of tourist arrivals, receiving 8.9 and 8.7 million visitors, respectively, by the end of June 2025, Egypt clearly outperformed in terms of revenues, generating $8.05 billion in tourism revenues.
Tourism revenues in Egypt increased by 22 percent during the first half of this year, matching the 25 percent increase in arrivals.
Egypt is a tourist destination that combines cultural and historical sites with beachfront attractions, attracting a diverse range of tourists, including high-spending ones.
This demand translates into high hotel occupancy rates, with average occupancy rates in Sharm el-Sheikh exceeding 75 percent, and even reaching over 90 percent in some coastal resorts. Tourism is Egypt's third-largest source of foreign currency after export revenues and remittances from Egyptians abroad.
Egypt is expected to set a new record in tourism revenues during the remainder of 2025. These revenues are expected to reach approximately $18.3 billion, a 9.5 percent increase compared to 2024.
As part of its plan to attract 30 million tourists annually by 2030, the Egyptian government has invested approximately $550 billion in infrastructure projects over the past decade to support the investment in various sectors, including tourism.
During a lecture entitled "Hotel Investment in Egypt" presented to representatives of the Association of Countries Bordering the Indian Ocean, Hala El Khatib, executive director of the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers, showed investments have included the establishment of 20 new cities. The most prominent of these cities is the New Administrative Capital, the extension of a 7,000-kilometre road network, and the development of telecommunications services.
Hala El Khatib stated that the Egyptian government has allocated the equivalent of $1 billion in soft loans to support the establishment or completion of new hotel projects. She also noted that hotel investment enjoys a number of incentives, including customs exemptions on equipment, operating facilities, and various tax and investment benefits.
At the same time, Egypt aims to double its share of yacht tourism and expects revenues from this type of tourism to exceed $3 billion annually by 2030, according to tourism sources.
These sources stated: "Egypt plans to receive approximately 3,000 yachts over the next two years, reaching approximately 10,000 yachts within five years, with a growth rate exceeding 500 percent. This coincides with the mega tourist resorts expected to be built in the Ras El Hekma area on the North Coast, and in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea, in addition to the Nile tourism in the Egyptian capital, Cairo."
The sources added that Egypt's current share of yacht tourism in the Mediterranean region does not exceed 5 percent of the approximately 30,000 yachts that cruise the Mediterranean ports annually. The sources added that the targeted growth rate over five years means Egypt's share will exceed 30 percent of the total annual yacht traffic in the Mediterranean and Red seas.