Tourism In Egypt
Tourism
has long been a key economic driver in Egypt,
attracting millions of visitors each year from
around the world. However, the industry has
faced a number of challenges in recent years,
including political instability and security
concerns. This paper seeks to explore the
current state of tourism in Egypt, examining the
main attractions for visitors and tracing the
evolution of the industry over time. By doing
so, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of
the challenges and opportunities facing this
important sector of the Egyptian economy.
Ultimately, we argue that a better understanding
of the tourism industry in Egypt is essential
for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and
scholars seeking to promote sustainable economic
growth and development in the region.
The Tourism Industry
in Egypt
What is the current
state of tourism in Egypt?
Egypt's tourism industry is a crucial sector for
the country's economy, contributing over 11% to
the GDP, with a workforce of 2.16 million people
as of 2021. The industry generates most of its
revenue from leisure spending, accounting for
90% of the direct contribution to the economy.
The peak year for tourism revenues was 2019,
with a record $13.03 billion earned, while the
peak year for tourist arrivals was 2010, with
14.7 million visitors recorded [1][2]. However,
over the past decade, the growth rate of the
tourism industry has steeply declined due to
various factors such as political turmoil, the
Arab Spring and lost tourism receipts as a
result of the crisis. Additionally, Egypt has
been ranked as one of the world's most dangerous
places to visit [1][3]. The COVID-19 pandemic
also had a significant impact on Egypt's tourism
industry in 2020, causing a drop of about 70% in
tourism revenue and reducing tourist arrivals to
3.5 million from 13.1 million in 2019 [2][4].
Despite these challenges, the tourism sector in
Egypt is expected to grow exponentially after
implementing ongoing and future developments
aimed at providing a unique and distinguished
tourism experience for visitors. These
developments include empowering the private
sector and providing tourist visa facilitation
[5]. Egypt ranks third in terms of tourism
arrivals in the MENA region behind Saudi Arabia
and the United Arab Emirates and offers a wide
range of attractions suitable for every budget,
from the pyramids to the Red Sea's snorkeling
and diving. The tourism sector plays a vital
role in Egypt's economy by providing a
significant source of income and foreign
currency revenues [3][1][4][2].
What are the main
attractions for tourists in Egypt?
Egypt is a country rich in culture and heritage,
and it offers a cathartic experience to
travelers [6]. The country has a plethora of
tourist attractions that showcase its
extraordinary and immortal history, beauty, and
culture [7]. Tourists can visit all of Egypt's
top attractions, including the Pyramids of Giza,
which are one of the wonders of the ancient
world and a main attraction for tourists in
Egypt [8][9]. The cluster of pyramids holding
the tombs of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus,
guarded by the Sphinx, is breathtaking and one
of the main attractions for tourists visiting
Egypt [8]. Cairo is another prime tourist
attraction in Egypt, with plenty of places that
make visitors want to spend several days
exploring [8][9]. The city is home to unique
Egyptian museums, including the Egyptian Museum
in Tahrir Square, and bazaars where visitors can
buy unique and traditional products [9]. In
addition to Cairo, there are other beautiful
places to visit in Egypt that should be on one's
bucket list [6]. The magical Alexandria Library,
containing a copy of each book ever published in
the world, is another main attraction for
tourists in Egypt [6]. The Catacombs of Kom
El-Shokafa, Pompey's Pillar, and Qaitbay Citadel
are other significant historical landmarks that
are popular among tourists [6]. Egypt also has
incredible fun tourist destinations, including
the mesmerizing gorgeous tourist resorts in
different sites [10]. Tourists can enjoy
recreational tours in Egypt, like Nile River
cruises, accommodations, transportation, and
everything else they could ever request at
reasonable prices [10][7]. The shoreline of
Egypt through which tourists can see Bahrain
White Red and the Gulf of Aqaba, which provides
tourists with the best facilities, are also
popular among tourists [10]. The tours in Egypt
are accompanied by Egyptologist tour guides, who
provide valuable insight into the country's
history and culture [10]. Egypt Tours Portal
since 1987 has been the key to exploring all the
treasures and gems of Egypt tourism attractions
[7]. The Travel website featured ten unique
tourist places in Egypt, including South Sinai,
Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba, which offer
budget-friendly options for travelers with
plenty of choices for tourists [9]. These ten
places are the main tourist attractions in Egypt
and are worth visiting for anyone who wants to
experience the rich culture and heritage of this
beautiful country [8].
How has the tourism
industry in Egypt evolved over time?
The tourism industry has a
long history in Egypt, dating back more than
5,000 years [11]. The ancient civilizations of
Egypt have contributed to the growth of tourism
in the country, and the industry has gone
through many changes over time. The development
of luxury resorts and cruises in the 19th and
early 20th century provided employment, drawing
labor from the agricultural sector into service
jobs [12]. Western tourism to Egypt was
initially prompted by an attraction to the
exoticism of the Arab World during Europe's
industrial revolution [12]. As the flow of
Westerners grew, the availability of items such
as Egyptian artifacts decreased, as more and
more of the city and surrounding ruins were
plundered [12]. However, political upheaval and
security concerns have greatly impacted the
industry. The failed 2011 revolution and the
military's violent reassertion of power dampened
growth in the sector, and terrorist attacks and
church bombings have caused a critical blow to
Egypt's tourism industry [13]. Nevertheless, the
industry has continued to evolve. Today, the
tourism industry is integral to the Egyptian
economy, but it has come at a cost to government
investment in ordinary Egyptians and Cairenes as
well as to the environment [12]. Guided tours,
walking tours, and bus tours have become popular
ways for tourists to navigate the large and
confusing urban area, while also providing
security and bridging the language gap [12]. The
bazaar is now almost exclusively maintained for
tourists and supports a large number of local
vendors and craftsman who make clothing, décor
objects, cookware, and other objects for the
tourist market [12]. Despite political and
security challenges, tourism remains a
significant source of revenue for Egypt, and the
industry is likely to continue evolving in the
years to come.
The tourism industry in Egypt
is a crucial sector for the country's economy,
contributing over 11% to the GDP and employing a
significant workforce. The peak year for tourism
revenues was 2019, with a record $13.03 billion
earned, while the peak year for tourist arrivals
was 2010, with 14.7 million visitors recorded.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant
impact on Egypt's tourism industry in 2020,
causing a drop of about 70% in tourism revenue
and reducing tourist arrivals to 3.5 million
from 13.1 million in 2019. Despite these
challenges, Egypt's tourism sector is expected
to continue evolving in the years to come, with
ongoing and future developments aimed at
providing a unique and distinguished tourism
experience for visitors. The industry generates
most of its revenue from leisure spending,
accounting for 90% of the direct contribution to
the economy. However, Egypt has also been ranked
as one of the world's most dangerous places to
visit, which presents a challenge to the
industry. It is essential to address these
concerns to ensure the safety of tourists and
promote Egypt as a safe and attractive
destination. The tourism sector plays a vital
role in Egypt's economy by providing a
significant source of income and foreign
currency revenues. Despite political and
security challenges, the industry is expected to
grow exponentially, driven by the implementation
of new and innovative tourism products. However,
there is a need for continued investment in
infrastructure, training, and marketing to
attract more tourists and ensure the
sustainability of the industry. The discussion
highlights the significance of the tourism
industry in Egypt, its challenges and
opportunities, and the need for ongoing research
and investment to promote growth and
sustainability.
Tourism In Egypt
The historical
significance of tourism in Egypt
Tourism in Egypt has a long
and rich history, dating back to ancient times.
The country has been a popular destination for
travelers and explorers for centuries, with
Herodotus being one of the earliest tourists to
visit Egypt [1]. In the 18th century, Scottish
explorer James Bruce explored the country,
making significant discoveries along the way
[2]. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th
century that tourism became a significant sector
of the Egyptian economy, with the number of
tourists growing steadily from 0.1 million in
1952 to over 13 million in 2019 [3]. The
expansion of tourism in Egypt has had a
significant impact on the country's economy and
cultural heritage, making it an important part
of the country's history.
The discovery of ancient
Egyptian tombs and temples has been a major draw
for tourists visiting Egypt. The country is home
to some of the most significant archaeological
sites in the world, including the Pyramids of
Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of
Karnak. Tourism has played a vital role in
preserving these sites, with the revenue
generated from tourism being used to fund their
maintenance and protection [4]. In recent years,
there has been a surge in archaeological
discoveries in Egypt, which has led to increased
interest in the country's history and culture
[5]. For example, in 2023, a 3,200-year-old tomb
belonging to Panehsy, the guard of the temple of
the Egyptian deity Amun, was uncovered in
Saqqara necropolis [6]. These discoveries help
to attract more tourists to Egypt and promote
the country's rich cultural heritage.
The importance of tourism in
Egypt goes beyond its economic impact. It also
plays a crucial role in promoting cultural
exchange and understanding between different
countries and cultures. Tourists visiting Egypt
have the opportunity to learn about the
country's history, traditions, and way of life,
which helps to foster greater appreciation and
respect for different cultures [7].
Additionally, tourism provides a source of
income for many Egyptians, particularly those
living in rural areas, where opportunities for
employment are limited [8]. The revenue
generated from tourism is also used to support
the preservation of traditional art and
handicrafts, as well as historical monuments and
sites [9]. Thus, tourism in Egypt is not only an
important economic sector but also a means of
promoting cultural exchange and preserving the
country's rich cultural heritage.
The current state of tourism in Egypt
The political unrest in Egypt
has had a significant impact on the tourism
industry. The country has experienced periods of
crisis where tourism and travel were at an
all-time low [10]. A study conducted using
ethnographical research methodology observed the
negative impact of political unrest on the
tourism industry and overall economy of Egypt
[11]. The political instability has caused
turmoil not only for civilians but also for the
tourism industry [12]. However, recent efforts
have been made to revive the tourism industry
and attract more visitors to the country [13].
Building a platform for unique and sustainable
tourism in Egypt is critical to the industry's
long-term success [14]. The Egyptian government
has also implemented new entry measures to
revive the sector, and tourism is expected to
rise by 28% involving 15 million tourists [15].
Despite the challenges, Egypt
remains a popular tourist destination, offering
a wide range of attractions and experiences. The
country is home to famous landmarks such as the
Great Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple at Luxor,
and the Valley of the Kings [16]. Other must-see
destinations include Alexandria, Saqqara, Siwa
Oasis, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahshur, Aswan, and
Cairo [17]. The fabled Sahara Desert and
legendary Nile River also continue to attract
visitors [18]. The country's rich history,
culture, and natural beauty make it a unique and
fascinating destination for tourists from all
over the world.
The tourism industry in Egypt
has faced many challenges, including political
unrest and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
[19]. However, recent efforts to revive the
sector have shown promising results [20]. The
country's unique attractions and experiences
continue to attract visitors, and the
government's commitment to sustainable tourism
bodes well for the industry's future [14]. As
the country continues to recover and rebuild,
Egypt remains a top destination for those
seeking an unforgettable travel experience.
The future of tourism in Egypt
Egypt's tourism industry is
expected to continue to grow in the coming
years, with a predicted movement of 15 million
tourists in 2023 [21]. To enhance the tourism
industry, Egypt is developing a national
strategy to provide a distinguished tourism
experience for visitors [22]. According to
analysis, the number of visitors is expected to
increase from 11.5 million in 2023 to 13 million
in 2024 and 13.5 million in 2025 [23]. These new
developments in the tourism industry will
attract more visitors to Egypt and contribute to
the country's economy and culture.
In addition to the new
developments, Egypt is also making efforts to
promote sustainable tourism. The country has the
potential for four eco-tourism zones: coastal,
desert, riverbanks, and oases [24]. The
initiative ECO EGYPT launched Egypt's first-ever
Green List to promote the best sustainable
practices and products in tourism establishments
[25]. The promotional campaign aims to promote
sustainable tourism in Egypt in key markets that
export tourism to Egypt, including Germany
[26][27]. Sustainable tourism initiatives can
help visitors plan a trip that leaves a small
"footprint" on the places they visit [28]. These
efforts to promote sustainable tourism not only
benefit the environment but also contribute to
the country's economy and cultural heritage.
Tourism is a significant
source of income for Egypt, accounting for about
10-15% of the country's economy [14][3]. The
industry involves around 70 sub-sectors and has
always been an important economic activity in
Egypt [29]. Tourism facilitates the development
of important infrastructure such as airfields
and promotes and reflects the country's cultural
heritage [30]. Therefore, the importance of
tourism for Egypt's economy and culture cannot
be overstated. The future of tourism in Egypt
looks bright, with new developments in the
industry and efforts to promote sustainable
tourism.
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