Tourism Minister meets Japanese tour operators in Tokyo

Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy convened a series of meetings with Japanese tour operators and major media representatives in Tokyo, as part of his participation in Tourism Expo Japan 2026. The discussions centered on bolstering cooperation to promote Egypt as an enticing tourist destination, devising novel tourism programs specifically tailored to Japanese visitors, and augmenting the number of Japanese tourists.

Both parties deliberated on orchestrating familiarization trips for Japanese tourism firms and augmenting direct flights between Egypt and Japan to cater to the escalating demand. Fathy underscored Egypt's varied tourism attractions, encompassing cultural, coastal, leisure, and desert experiences, stating that tourists typically remain for approximately a decade, facilitating composite tourism itineraries.

He also broached the utilization of cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence in tourism promotion, infrastructure enhancements, and endeavors to entice investments in the hotel industry. Japanese tour operators affirmed that Egypt remains a crucial destination for the Japanese market, citing stable visitor figures this year despite regional fluctuations.

They expressed enthusiasm for new tourism offerings, particularly initiatives aimed at younger travelers and integrating diverse Egyptian locales. They also reported a burgeoning interest in visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum. The operators mentioned that programs combining Alexandria with Luxor and Aswan are presently on offer, while curiosity is also surging regarding witnessing next year's total solar eclipse from Luxor.

Fathy disclosed that Egypt is investigating methods to construct tourism programs around the event, including amalgamating excursions to the North Coast with eclipse viewing in Siwa. Japanese tourism delegates also remarked that the 2025 "Ramesses and the Gold of the Pharaohs" exhibition in Tokyo bolstered Egypt's image and heightened interest in visiting the nation, illustrating the profound Japanese fascination with ancient Egyptian culture.