Middle East aims to targets 100 million tourists by 2030 – Egypt leads the growth

The Middle East region is aiming to welcome 100 million tourists by 2030, with Egypt at the forefront of this growth. According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2026, 77% of travelers to the Middle East prioritize luxury experiences when booking their trips, far surpassing the 51% who seek such amenities in other destinations. This shift in traveler preferences towards authentic cultural experiences and heritage events has reshaped demand within the region.

Egypt, in particular, has positioned itself as a strong competitor among regional destinations, thanks to its rich civilizational heritage and the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).

Egypt's tourism sector has seen remarkable growth, with Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy announcing that the country welcomed approximately 16.2 million tourists by the end of October. The Minister projects this number to reach 20 million by the end of the year and further increase to 22 million in the following year.

These figures are driven by a record 20% growth in visitor numbers, the highest tourism growth rate in the Middle East. In the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the sector generated US$ 18.4 billion in revenue, marking a 10.3% year-on-year increase.

To achieve the goal of 30 million tourists by 2030, Egypt will need to add 240,000 to 250,000 new hotel rooms, expand airport capacity, and enhance tourism-related transport systems and logistics services. While significant progress has been made, there is still a considerable gap between current infrastructure and this ambitious target.

Despite these challenges, Egypt's immense competitive advantages, such as its unique cultural heritage and modern infrastructure, make it well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for luxury and cultural experiences in the Middle East.