AGP Executive Report

North Coast Investment: Egypt has launched an investment zone for Qatar’s Alam Al Roum project, aimed at drawing capital into tourism, real estate and services as the coastal destination develops. Coastal Infrastructure: New EGP 4.6bn contracts will operate and maintain 11 desalination plants across Matrouh, Sinai and the Red Sea, supporting water supply for tourism and growing coastal communities. Museum Visits: Grand Egyptian Museum tickets rise on November 1: foreign visitor admission will reach EGP 1,830, while Egyptian tickets increase to EGP 220. Tourism Promotion: Egypt is courting Italian operators at Rimini’s TTG travel fair, while talks with France focus on hotel investment, hospitality training and heritage preservation. Nile Cruises: Viking’s new Nile ship, the Viking Sekhmet, is due to join the fleet in 2027, adding capacity to Egypt’s river-cruise offering.

Tourism Growth: Egypt welcomed 14.4 million visitors by the end of September and is targeting 20 million for 2026. The North Coast is drawing more international interest: charter flights to El Alamein rose 50% this summer, though hotel capacity remains a constraint. Visitor Planning: Ticket prices at the Grand Egyptian Museum are set to rise in November. Egypt also ranked third in Africa on the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index and was named by Forbes among destinations to consider for 2027. Red Sea Experiences: A liveaboard cruise is planned for the August 2027 total solar eclipse, with a route from Port Ghalib to waters off Berenice for up to six minutes and 20 seconds of totality. New Stays: Nobu Hotel North Coast is scheduled to open in 2027.

Ancient Discoveries: Archaeologists in the Nile Delta uncovered fragments of two colossal Ramesses II statues, including a 1.6-metre stone head. Recent finds at Saqqara and Bahariya add to Egypt’s growing list of visitor draws. Museum Costs: Grand Egyptian Museum tickets rise on November 1: foreign visitors pay $5 more, while Egyptian tickets increase by EGP 20. Tourism Outlook: Egypt ranked third in Africa in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, while Forbes named it among seven destinations to visit in 2027, citing its heritage sites and luxury Nile cruises. Flight Disruptions: Air Cairo extended its Riyadh flight suspension through October 20 amid airport restrictions. Separately, missiles struck Aden airport near a Yemenia plane preparing to fly to Cairo; no casualties were reported. Cruise News: Saga’s winter programme includes an overnight Alexandria stop on a 27-night Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean cruise.

Flight Disruptions: Air Cairo has extended its suspension of Cairo, Assiut and Sohag flights to Riyadh until October 20. Travellers should check directly with the airline or their agent for updates. Ancient Sites: New finds include Old Kingdom tombs at Saqqara, a temple complex on the Horus Road that may mark the lost city of Mesn, and a Roman bath at Tell Nasser—fresh draws for Egypt’s heritage circuit. Tourism Outlook: Egypt ranked third in Africa and 63rd globally in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index. The country has welcomed 14.4 million visitors and is targeting 30 million, while the index points to room to improve services, capacity and connectivity. Tourism Investment: Viking has named new Nile ships, with the Sekhmet due to begin sailing in 2027; Pickalbatros also secured $250 million in financing, while Nobu plans a North Coast hotel opening next year.

Archaeology: A villager’s discovery led to the recovery of two colossal Ramesses II statue remains at Behbeit Al-Hagar in the Nile Delta, adding a major find near the ancient Isis temple site. Red Sea Travel: A British visitor says a taxi fare dispute in Hurghada left him feeling vulnerable and put him off returning; he says the driver demanded more than the fare agreed before the ride. Cruise News: Seabourn plans to return to Egypt in 2029, while Viking’s new Nile ship Ptah is now sailing and sister ship Sekhmet is due to join in 2027. Tourism Growth: Egypt has welcomed 14.4 million visitors and is targeting 30 million. Cultural Calendar: El Gouna’s ninth film festival is bringing Arab cinema and international titles to the Red Sea resort. Tourism Ties: Egypt and Djibouti have signed an agreement to strengthen tourism cooperation.

Tourism Outlook: Tour operators expect North Africa to gain popularity in 2027 as growth in Spain slows, citing strong value for holidaymakers. Hurghada Rising: Flight searches for Hurghada jumped 186% year over year, placing the Red Sea resort second in a ranking of fast-growing destinations. Visitor Growth: Egypt welcomed 14.4 million visitors and is aiming for 30 million, underscoring its push to expand tourism. Pyramid Events: The Great Pyramids of Giza hosted the debut of the Starlight Festival, adding a new event to the heritage-site setting. Cruise News: Viking has named two new Nile ships, while Seabourn opened bookings for 2029 voyages that will return to Egypt after five years, including Alexandria calls with time to visit Cairo and the Pyramids.

Ancient Egypt: A farmer’s discovery in Gharbia has led archaeologists to uncover colossal statue remains, including a head of Ramses II. The find adds another draw for visitors exploring the Nile Delta’s heritage sites. Festivals: El Gouna Film Festival has opened its ninth edition on the Red Sea, launching the region’s autumn festival season and bringing international filmmakers and audiences to the resort. Nile Cruises: Viking has named seven new river ships, with ceremonies across four countries reflecting their future European and Nile deployments. Royal Caribbean has also announced 2028–29 itineraries with overnight calls in Alexandria. Visitor Demand: Russian tour bookings to Egypt rose 34% in the first nine months of 2026, as Egypt remains one of the most popular African destinations for the market.

Archaeology: A farmer’s discovery in Gharbia led to the unearthing of a 1.6-metre Ramses II statue head, part of a second royal statue and inscribed granite. Cruises: Royal Caribbean plans year-round European sailings in 2028–29, including overnight calls in Alexandria; Seabourn will return to Egypt in 2029 after a break of more than five years. Air links: EasyJet and Transavia are adding seasonal routes from several French cities to Cairo this autumn and winter. Hotel investment: A 250-room Crowne Plaza is planned for New Cairo, while Nobu Hotel North Coast is due to open in 2027.

Egyptian Visitor Outreach: Thessaloniki is courting Cairo travel agencies, building on a new direct Aegean route from Cairo to promote Greek city, coastal and cultural holidays. Cruise News: Royal Caribbean plans year-round European sailings in 2028–29, including overnight calls in Alexandria, while Seabourn will return to Egypt in 2029 with selected Alexandria overnights and time to visit Cairo and the pyramids. Hotel Investment: Nobu Hotel North Coast is scheduled to open in 2027, adding to Egypt’s resort pipeline. Tourism Links: Egypt and Djibouti have agreed to expand tourism cooperation, while Cairo is also seeking to position Egypt as a regional tourism hub. Travel Disruptions: Egypt is monitoring Umrah flights amid regional security developments, as attacks and airport restrictions in Saudi Arabia continue to disrupt regional air travel.

Pilgrim Travel: Egypt is tracking Umrah flights to Saudi Arabia as regional tensions cause delays, with ministry teams monitoring services at Cairo, Jeddah and Medina airports and coordinating with tour operators. Tourism Partnerships: Egypt and Djibouti signed an agreement to boost tourism cooperation, while officials say Egypt aims to become a regional tourism hub and are urging agents to promote destinations beyond the usual hotspots. Hotel Investment: IHG has agreed to open a 250-room Crowne Plaza in New Cairo. Heritage: Rescue excavations in Gharbia have uncovered remains of colossal Ramses II statues, adding a new archaeological draw to Egypt’s tourism offer.

Tourism Partnerships: Egypt and Djibouti signed a tourism cooperation deal covering joint marketing, investment and hotel-management training, and discussed linking Sharm El-Sheikh with Djibouti City. Egypt is also promoting itself as a regional tourism hub. Nile Cruises: AmaWaterways plans to expand its fleet beyond 50 ships by 2032, with the AmaNubia and AmaCleo adding capacity on the Nile. Heritage: Egyptian archaeologists uncovered remains of two colossal statues believed to depict Ramses II at Behbeit El-Hagar, adding a new point of interest for visitors. Hotels: IHG signed an agreement for a 250-room Crowne Plaza in New Cairo. Travel Disruption: Houthi attacks have disrupted flights to Saudi Arabia and prompted travel warnings; passengers should check with airlines before connecting through the kingdom.

Tourism Strategy: Egypt’s tourism chief urged travel agents to promote destinations beyond the country’s traditional hotspots, pointing to efforts to broaden visitor itineraries. Cultural Heritage: Egypt unveiled the restored second-century “Tondo of the Two Brothers” portrait; it will join a major Fayoum portrait exhibition in Rome, marking the collection’s first trip abroad. Hotel Investment: IHG signed a deal for a 250-room Crowne Plaza in New Cairo’s Sixth Settlement, planned to open in 2031 and target business and leisure guests. Travel Rules: New entry requirements for Uzbek citizens take effect November 1, a change travelers should check before booking.

Tourism Push: Egypt’s tourism chief urged agents to look beyond the country’s traditional hotspots, as the government targets growth in higher-value travel and 30 million annual visitors by 2030. Tourism Revenue: Tourism earnings rose 10.3% to $18.4 billion in fiscal 2025/26, helping Egypt post a $2.8 billion balance-of-payments surplus. Regional Travel Risks: Fresh Gulf attacks are raising concerns over shipping routes and Suez Canal revenue, while flight suspensions in Saudi Arabia add uncertainty for regional travel. Hotel Investment: IHG signed an agreement for a 250-room Crowne Plaza in New Cairo. Cultural Heritage: Egypt’s restored second-century Fayoum portrait of two brothers is set to travel to Rome, marking the first overseas showing of a major part of the collection.

Regional Air Travel: Repeated attacks have hit Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, killing and injuring passengers and disrupting flights. EgyptAir suspended services from Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh; an Egyptian flight attendant was among those killed. Travellers should check with airlines before departure as security warnings spread. Tourism Investment: IHG signed a deal for a 250-room Crowne Plaza in New Cairo, planned to open in 2031. EgyptAir is also adopting AI tools to personalise passenger services as it prepares for travel growth. Heritage and Tourism: Egypt’s restored second-century Fayoum portrait, the “Tondo of the Two Brothers,” is set to travel to Rome for its first overseas exhibition. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have also discussed expanding tourism ties.

Regional Travel Disruption: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was struck again Sunday, a day after an attack killed at least 12 people and injured hundreds. Operations remained suspended, with Saudi Arabia reporting injuries from the latest strike and confirming an attack on Dammam airport. EgyptAir suspended flights from Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh; travellers should check with airlines before departure. Egyptian Victims: Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said an Egyptian woman was killed and five Egyptians injured in the first Riyadh attack. Heritage Spotlight: Egypt restored the Fayoum portrait known as the “Tondo of the Two Brothers” ahead of its first overseas display, in a Rome exhibition opening Nov. 5. Nile Cruise Rescue: Authorities rescued a Nile cruise ship carrying 99 tourists.

Regional Travel Disruption: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains closed after an attack killed 12 people and injured 309, including an Egyptian national. EgyptAir suspended flights from Cairo and Alexandria to Riyadh; travellers should confirm schedules with their airlines. Tourism Ties: Egypt and Saudi Arabia discussed expanding tourism cooperation at the WTTC summit, while Egypt and Malaysia signed a tourism agreement during President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi’s state visit. Visitor Entry Rules: From November 1, Uzbek citizens will face new entry requirements for Egypt, so travellers should check the latest rules before departure. Heritage: Underwater archaeologists found a bronze ring engraved with the Lighthouse of Alexandria, offering a new glimpse of the lost ancient wonder.