Egypt seeks to double its Turkish tourist numbers after a 40% increase last year, with Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy emphasizing stronger diplomatic relations and a focus on mutual marketing efforts. The country is promoting diverse tourism offerings and pursuing foreign investment for hospitality infrastructure, while also outlining plans for significant tourism site developments. Strong pre-booking numbers for the summer indicate optimism in the sector’s growth.
Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy announced plans to double the number of Turkish tourists visiting Egypt, following a 40% rise in the previous year. Speaking at the East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition in Istanbul, he emphasized the strengthened diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Egypt, citing the positive impact of high-level country visits on cooperation across sectors, particularly tourism and cultural heritage.
During the exhibition, Fathy highlighted discussions with Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy about shared efforts in tourism and a recent initiative where Türkiye returned artifacts to Egypt. A memorandum of understanding was signed to foster collaboration in tourism and other sectors. Fathy expressed hope for further developing the relationship.
Despite increased visitor numbers from Türkiye, Fathy stated there is potential for more growth. He noted the 40% increase was satisfactory but not sufficient, predicting that the numbers will double in future years. To achieve this, he encouraged enhanced marketing efforts for Egypt in Türkiye and vice versa to promote mutual tourism.
Fathy detailed Egypt’s attractions beyond historical sites, including adventure and eco-tourism, under the slogan “unique diversity.” Despite facing geopolitical challenges, Egypt recorded a 6% rise in tourist arrivals, totaling 15.75 million, with a significant increase in tourist spending.
Looking ahead, Fathy forecasted continued growth in 2025, contingent on geopolitical and economic stability, and mentioned the need for foreign investments to boost hospitality infrastructure. He also outlined plans for the redevelopment of the Pyramids area, which will improve accessibility to key sites like Sphinx International Airport and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Summing up, Fathy expressed optimism about tourism this summer, noting strong pre-booking trends and high occupancy rates. The commitment to enhancing tourism cooperation with Türkiye includes reciprocal marketing efforts, with both countries aiming to increase tourist flows. He stated, “My intention is to create a win-win kind of cooperation between the two countries.”
The article discusses Egypt’s tourism strategy aimed at increasing the number of Turkish visitors, highlighting the importance of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Egypt that have enhanced cooperation across various sectors. Minister Sherif Fathy emphasizes collaborative efforts in tourism, military, and cultural heritage, showcasing the recent return of confiscated artifacts as a sign of strengthened ties. Additionally, Fathy outlines potential growth in the tourism sector and future investments required to sustain that growth, indicating ongoing development plans for major tourism sites.
In conclusion, Egypt is actively working to enhance its tourism sector by targeting a doubling of Turkish visitors, building on a recent 40% increase. The collaboration between Egypt and Türkiye includes marketing initiatives and shared cultural heritage projects, positioning both nations to benefit from increased tourism. Fathy’s commitment to creating a reciprocal relationship suggests a strategic approach to boosting visitor numbers and expanding the tourism industry’s impact in both countries.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
