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Tourism in Egypt

Executive summary

Tourism is classified as leading global economic force. The earnings and GDP contribution emerging from tourism activities makes it a topic of global importance. For several years, Egypt has been a leading tourist destination in Africa and also in other parts of the world. The earnings from tourism activities contribute immensely to the gross national product of the country. It is worth noting that the well-being of the Egyptian economy largely depends on a good year of tourism. Most of the tourism activities in Egypt are reliant on the ancient monuments and cultural events (MacDonald & Rice, 2010). Nevertheless, the country has been in relentless efforts to make sure that there is the creation of modern tourist attractions such as modern resorts and golf courses. The combinations of the new and traditional tourists’ attractions sites have contributed immensely to the growth of the tourism sector in Egypt.

Apart from the numerous tourists’ attractions sites, the tourism industry in Egypt has also thrived as a result of the proximity and favorable geographical location of the country. It is interesting to note that Egypt is located in North Africa where it borders the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and Gaza strip. Its strategic location has been instrumental in the growth of the tourism sector in the country. Tourists from all over the world have been able to access the different tourist attractions in Egypt due to its accessibility through air and water navigation. Nevertheless, there have been numerous challenges to the tourism sector in the country (International Business Publications, 2007). It is, therefore, essential for the government of Egypt and the stakeholders to put in place policies that will promote and enhance tourism in the region. This chapter will have an in-depth analysis of tourism industry in Egypt and offer recommendations that can lead to enhanced earnings from the tourism sector.

As aforementioned, Egypt has been a leading tourist destination for several years. Having a total land area of approximately 995,450sq.kms, the country is the most populous in the Arab world and the second most populous country in Africa. The populous country is also known to hold people of diverse cultural and social beliefs. It is imperative to point out that the country has people with different backgrounds such as Turkey, Arab, Nubian, Africa, European, ancient Egyptians and Eastern Europeans among others (Hara, 2008). The diverse communities living in Egypt has brought about cultural diversity that to a great extent has promoted tourism in the area.  With this in mind, cultural tourism contributes significantly to the tourism basket in Egypt.  For instance, Egyptians are known to hold strong cultural practices that are part of tourist attraction. The great lengths Egyptians went in preserving the bodies of the dead, burial sites and the 70 days it takes to preserve a body for decent burial are some of the cultural practices that form tourist attraction.

Heritage tourism is also popular in Egypt. For so many years, Egypt has been known for the pyramids of Giza, the pharaohs, beautiful mosques and traditional monuments. Also, the country enjoys ancient mysteries of Luxor and Aswan in the Upper Egypt all of which have contributed significantly towards the tourism development in the area (International Business Publications, 2007). Egypt is also known as a home of several Islamic art and architecture which have also contributed to the growth of the tourism sector in the country. Besides the traditional tourists’ attractions sites, the country also enjoys modern tourist attractions. For example, the beautiful and inexpensive beaches on the red sea offer an excellent source entertainment to visitors. Tourists enjoy scuba diving in these beaches as they get a clear view of the Egypt’s red sea coral reefs (Agarwal & Shaw, 2007). The spectacular oasis in the Egyptian deserts also offers another site where tourists enjoy both cold and hot water bath from water springs.

European tourism is the most common form of tourism in Egypt.  Most of the Europeans are known to spend their vacations in Egypt where they enjoy the cultural, heritage and modern tourists’ attractions sites in the region. The most common places where these Europeans are fond of visiting includes; Hurghada, Sharm-el-Sheikh, and Safaga among others. Also, innovations of the Paranoiac ancient artifacts have been a unique appeal to Egypt as well as its inimitable religious and cultural testimonials that have been a great source of tourism motivation (Elmers, 2013).  Most of the Europeans tourists entering Egypt are mainly of British origin, and they seem to enjoy the cultural tourism present in the region.

As aforementioned, the Britons forms a significant part of the cultural tourism practiced in Europe. It is interesting to point out that cultural tourism looked fashionable and elite tourism in the 19th century. During the 1850s the country registered 20,000 tourists annually. This figure had risen to 50,000 visitors annually by 1914. Nevertheless, the subsequent years recorded a significant decline in the number of European tourists visiting Egypt every year.  It is, however, prudent to note that the tourism sector also improved significantly between 1980 and 2010 (Sattin, 2011). The increase in the number of British tourists in Egypt can be explained by the historical invasion of Egypt by Napoleon in 1799. The invasion resulted in the importation of scientists and scholars who had played a significant role in the study and report on ancient Egyptian monuments. Their work had spread widely in Europe, and when the French rule came to an end, the Britons took a special interest in the Egyptian culture and consequently an increase in cultural tourism Egypt.

Besides the numerous cultural attractions, the increase in European tourism was also as a result of guaranteed safety to the visiting guests. It is interesting to acknowledge the significant role played by Muhammad Ali, in ensuring safety, improved and modernized Egyptian economy. He knew that security was paramount for successive cultural tourism (Agarwal & Shaw, 2007). There were also improved transport systems that provided smooth movements for tourists between different destinations. Steam technology was live in Egypt. Trains and steamships made it easy for travelers to commute between the various destinations. The steam technology did not only provide fast means of transport but also ensured cheaper transport mode.

Nevertheless, the second half of the 19th century marked a decline in the number of European tourists practicing cultural tourism. From this time onwards, most of the European tourists visiting Egypt were either for pleasure and health rather than on cultural attainments. Although there was still a good number attending to see ancient monuments and study Egyptian culture, most of them were after pleasure. The decline in British control, as witnessed during the Suez crisis, marked a shift in cultural tourism. This was the beginning of the democratized tourism where most of the European population reduced the urge for cultural tourism and got inclined to pleasure travel (International Business Publications, 2007). Consequently, the Egyptian authorities and policy makers were involved in the introduction of modern attraction sites such as resorts that offered leisure tourism. The need for modern tourist attractions has led to marvelous development along the Egyptian coast. Besides the cheap beaches, the Egyptians have also invested heavily in the construction of modern resorts, hotels, and other modern sites (Ibrahim & Ibrahim, 2003). For instance, the floating hotels found in the Mediterranean Sea are a good indication of the developments in the Egyptian tourism sector.

The tourism industry continues to be a significant part of the country’s GDP. Nevertheless, the industry has been facing a great number of challenges which has consequently brought about a significant decline in the annual number of tourists visiting the country. Although Egypt is known to have a stable economy, it is necessary to ensure that the contribution from the industry is of great significance (Hara, 2008). The current downward trend in the sector is worrying and makes it inevitable to be proactive in ensuring the industry gets back on track.  Terrorism threat, lack of government planning, lack of average accommodation and street disorders are some of the leading factors that have resulted in the massive decline in the tourism industry. To start with, terrorism has become a major problem not only in Egypt but the world as a whole. Most of the tourists are from different parts of the world and are mainly concerned with their personal security. Such people will always avoid to traveling to terrorism hotspots such as Egypt. Terrorism has contributed immensely to the decline in the number of tourists visiting the country every year. Other security concerns such as purse-snatching and other petty crimes have also led to a decline in the number of tourists in Egypt.

Further on, Egypt has been obsessed with the high number of tourists that have been visiting the country in the past. Consequently, it has been difficult to control and manage the vast number of people in the streets thus becoming another issue of concern (MacDonald & Rice, 2010). It is paramount to note that overcrowding will not only ruin the resources being conserved but will also spoil the tourist’s experience.  The congestion in streets and the tourist’s attractions sites can be as a result of poor planning. In the past, it has been reported that the stones from the pyramids have been stolen in the past thus reducing its original height and this could have adversely affected the attractiveness of the site.

Recommendations

It is crystal clear that the tourism industry in Egypt is on a downward trend. It is also evident that the tourism sector is of paramount importance to the Egyptian economy. With this in mind, it is, therefore, inevitable ensuring that there are measures put in place to restore the tourism industry in its rightful place (Elmers, 2013). As aforementioned, the Egyptian economy will largely depend on the number of tourists visiting the country every year. To start with, an intensive advertisement is recommended to ensure that there is a global awareness on the numerous tourists’ attractions sites in the country (International Business Publications, 2007). It is worth noting that there are several people in the world have little or no information on the existence of significant sites such as the pyramids. With intensive advertising, the number of individuals with such knowledge will increase and consequently lead to an influx of tourists in Egypt.

Another important recommendation that will lead to improvement in the tourism industry is improved security. As aforementioned, many people will avoid visiting places where their safety is compromised. Although terrorism is an issue of global concern, it is essential for the Egyptian authorities to ensure that there are internal mechanisms that reduce the instances of terrorism in the region (Sattin, 2011). Enhanced security in all the entry and exit points, resorts, and other terror target areas will be essential in assuring tourists of their safety. On the same note, the Egyptian authorities should ensure that other petty crimes such as purse snatching, verbal and sexual abuse are restrained in the tourists’ attractions sites.

Easier accessibility to the country and the tourist attractions sites will also be critical for an improved tourism sector in Egypt. This will only be realistic if there are better transport and accommodation facilities in the region (Ibrahim & Ibrahim, 2003). For instance, the Egyptians must ensure that their waterways and airways are safe and accommodative for international arrivals. Also, the travels must be cheap and readily available to ensure that the involved people can afford. This will be instrumental in opening the Egypt’s tourism to the foreign world (Agarwal & Shaw, 2007). Roads and railway systems in the country must also be improved to ensure easier connections from one place to another. On the same note, it is also wise to build accommodations near the attractions sites to avoid unnecessary travels.

Proper government planning is another essential consideration for an improved tourism sector in Egypt. As aforementioned, there are street congestions and overcrowding in the sites that not only is dangerous to the preservation of the sites but are also damaging to the visitors’ experience. It is therefore recommended that the government should engage in a planning exercise that will reduce congestions on the roads as well as on these sites (Hara, 2008). It is also vital for the government to ensure that there are measures that will lead to the preservation of culture and heritage that has continuously been the leading source of tourism activities in the region (International Business Publications, 2007). In essence, it should be the prerogative of the Egyptian government to ensure there are more services and growth in the tourism industry that will translate into a developed economy.

In conclusion, tourism is one of the most significant global economic activities. It is considered as an important event to people, not only due to the economic gains but also for the leisure and relaxation that comes along (International Business Publications, 2007). Nevertheless, the activity has been touted to have great importance to major world economies and more so to the Egypt’s economy.  Over the years, Egypt has enjoyed numerous tourism activities simply due to its strategic location as well as the various attraction sites in the region (Ibrahim & Ibrahim, 2003). The cultural, religious and ancient monuments and architecture in the region has offered great tourist attractions sites that have put Egypt on the global tourism map. It is, however, prudent to point out that the tourism industry in the country is on the verge of collapse if stringent proactive measures are not in place to correct the situation. In fact, visitors expect to have real time and experiences while in excursion and will snub such experiences if they don’t achieve their objectives (Elmers, 2013). It is on this note that there are various recommendations that ought to be in place to improve tourists’ impressions and experiences. Intensive advertisement, enhanced security, and improved customer experience will be instrumental to tourism development in Egypt. Sustainable tourism will translate to better economic gains for the country.

Agarwal, s. & Shaw, G. (2007). Managing coastal tourism resorts (1st ed.). Clevedon: Channel View Publications.

Elmers, S. (2013). Egypt – impacts & concerns, sustainability & ecotourism, industry (1st ed.). [Place of publication not identified]: Grin Verlag.

Hara, T. (2008). Quantitative tourism industry analysis (1st ed.). Amsterdam ; London: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Ibrahim, F. & Ibrahim, B. (2003). Egypt (1st ed.). London: I.B. Tauris.

International Business Publications, U. (2007). Egypt business intelligence report (1st ed.). [Place of publication not identified]: Intl Business Pubns Usa.

MacDonald, S. & Rice, M. (2010). Consuming ancient Egypt (1st ed.). Walnut Creek: Left Coast Press, Inc.

Sattin, A. (2011). Lifting the Veil: Two Centuries of Travellers, Traders and Tourists in Egypt (1st ed.). I.B. Tauris.

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20 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Egypt

Written by Jess Lee Updated Oct 16, 2023

Home of the ancient Pharaohs, Egypt is a destination full of dazzling temples and tombs that wow all who visit. It's not all historic treasures and tourist attractions, though. With vast tracts of desert for 4WD adventures, the Red Sea's world-class coral reefs and wrecks for divers, and cruising on the famed Nile River, there are plenty of things to do in Egypt for all types of travelers.

Beach lovers head to the Sinai or the Red Sea Coast to soak up the sun, while archaeology fans will have a field day in Luxor.

Cairo is the megalopolis that can't be beaten for city slickers, while Siwa oasis and the southern town of Aswan offer a slice of the slow pace of the countryside.

With so much to see and do, Egypt offers visitors a chance to create itineraries that combine culture, adventure, and relaxation all on one trip.

Plan your sightseeing with our list of the top attractions and places to visit in Egypt.

Pyramids of Giza

Luxor's temples & tombs, cruising the nile, diving the red sea, explore historic cairo, south sinai's beach life, egyptian museum, white desert, abydos temple, st. catherine's monastery, red sea beaches, coptic cairo, wadi al-hitan, temple of hathor, monastery of st. anthony.

The last surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza are one of the world's most recognizable landmarks.

Having awed travelers down through the ages, these tombs of the Pharaohs Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chephren), and Menkaure (Mycerinus), guarded by the enigmatic Sphinx, are usually top of most visitor's lists of tourist attractions to see in Egypt and often the first sight they head to after landing.

Today, sitting on the desert edge of Cairo's sprawl, these megalithic memorials to dead pharaohs are still as wondrous a sight as they ever were and an undeniable highlight of any Egypt trip.

To beat the crowds , get here around 7:30am and enter through the main Pyramid of Khufu site entrance (rather than the Sphinx entrance). This means you can have finished exploring the interior tunnels and burial chambers of the Pyramid of Khufu by the time the tour buses start pulling in at 8:15am.

Most visitors limit their site visit to the three pyramids and the Sphinx, but there is plenty more to see on the Giza Plateau. If you can, reserve time to explore the funerary complexes of the eastern cemetery (on the east side of the Pyramid of Khufu). The tombs of 6th dynasty high officials Qar and Idu and the tomb of Meresankh III (who was one of Pharaoh Khafre's wives) are all open to the public.

• Read More: Pyramids of Giza: Attractions, Tips & Tours

Famed for the Valley of the Kings , Karnak Temple , and the Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, the Nile-side town of Luxor in Upper Egypt has a glut of tourist attractions.

This is ancient Thebes, the power base of the New Kingdom pharaohs, and home to more sights than most can see on one visit.

Luxor's east bank is home to the modern city, with its vibrant souq; the two temples of Karnak and Luxor; and the museum. The west bank's lush farmland and barren cliffs are where the vast majority of Luxor's tourist attractions sit, with so many tomb and temple sights that it has been called the biggest open-air museum in the world.

Spend a few days here exploring the colorful wall art of the tombs and gazing in awe at the colossal columns in the temples, and you'll see why Luxor continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists.

The Valley of the Kings is one of Egypt's most visited sites but, if you are willing to get up extra early, you can beat the crowds . All of Luxor's archaeological sites open at 6am, but hardly any visitors (and no large tour operators) take advantage of this.

Kick off your sightseeing with a 6am start at the Valley of the Kings, and you'll get to experience the interiors of Luxor's famed New Kingdom tombs with hardly anyone else (except the handful of other wily early risers) there.

Egypt is defined by the Nile. For many visitors, a multi-day cruise upon this famed waterway that saw the rise of the Pharaonic era is a highlight of their Egypt trip.

Cruising the Nile is also the most relaxing way to see the temples that stud the banks of the river on the route between Luxor and Aswan, plus sunrise and sunset over the date-palm-studded river banks, backed by sand dunes, is one of Egypt's most tranquil vistas.

The two famous sights on a Nile Cruise are the Temple of Kom Ombo and Edfu's Temple of Horus , where all the big cruise boats stop.

If you'd prefer a less crowded and slower experience, though, and don't mind "roughing it" a bit, you can also cruise the Nile by felucca (Egypt's traditional lateen-sailed wooden boats), which also allows you to create your own itinerary.

The vast amount of cruise boat itineraries depart from either Luxor or Aswan, but feluccas can only be chartered for multi-day trips from Aswan.

Egypt's most tranquil town is Aswan, set upon the winding curves of the Nile. Backed by orange-hued dunes, this is the perfect place to stop and unwind for a few days and soak up the chilled-out atmosphere.

Take the river ferry across to Elephantine Island and stroll the colorful streets of the Nubian villages. Then ride a camel to the desert monastery of St. Simeon on Aswan's east bank. Afterwards, relax in one of the riverboat restaurants while watching the lateen-sailed feluccas drift past.

Make sure to jump aboard a felucca at sunset to sail around Aswan's islands. This is by far, Aswan's most popular activity and the most relaxing way to take in the local sights.

There are plenty of historic sites here and numerous temples nearby, including Philae Temple on its island, but one of Aswan's most popular things to do is simply kicking back and watching the river life go by.

Even in a country festooned with temples, Abu Simbel is something special. This is Ramses II's great temple, adorned with colossal statuary standing guard outside, and with an interior sumptuously decorated with wall paintings.

Justly famous for its megalithic proportions, Abu Simbel is also known for the incredible engineering feat carried out by UNESCO in the 1960s, which saw the entire temple moved from its original setting to save it from disappearing under the rising water of the Aswan Dam.

Today, exploring Abu Simbel is just as much about admiring the triumph of this international effort to save the temple complex as it is about gaping in wonder at Ramses II's awe-inspiring building works, itself.

Most people arrive in Abu Simbel on organized day trips from Aswan, which all have an early morning start to get to the temple complex at 8am or 9am.

After 11am, nearly everyone has cleared out and headed back to Aswan. To wander through Ramses II's colossal monument without the crowds, overnight in Abu Simbel village itself and visit the temples after midday.

Below the Red Sea's surface is another world as fascinating as the temples and tombs on land.

The coral reefs of the Red Sea are renowned among scuba divers for both the soft corals on display and the vast amount of sea life, ranging from colorful reef fish and nudibranchs to sharks, dolphins, turtles, rays, and even dugongs.

For divers, the most famous town to base yourself in is Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula, closest to the reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park, as well as the reefs of the Straits of Tiran.

To dive the sites of the Straits of Gubal head to Hurghada or El Gouna on the Red Sea coast, while advanced divers should check out the resort of Marsa Alam, the nearest base for diving Egypt's "deep south" dive sites.

As well as fish life and coral, the Red Sea is a major wreck-diving destination. The most famous wreck is the Thistlegorm, a British WWII cargo ship that was on its way to resupply Allied troops when it was bombed by the Germans in 1941.

Today the site is regarded by divers as one of the top five wreck dives in the world due to the vast cargo of cars, motorbikes, and WWII memorabilia that can be seen both scattered on the sea bed around the wreck and inside the ship itself.

Dive boat trips to the wreck are organized from both Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.

The Red Sea offers year-round diving but for the calmest sea conditions and best underwater visibility, July and August are the best months . This is high summer in Egypt though with its accompanying sweltering on-land temperatures. If your Egypt trip doesn't solely revolve around diving, it's still best to avoid these months.

Read More: Diving in the Red Sea: Best Dive Sites

The atmospheric, narrow lanes of the capital's Historic Cairo district are crammed full of mosques, madrassas (Islamic schools of learning), and monuments dating from the Fatimid through to the Mameluke eras.

This is where you'll find the labyrinth shopping souq of Khan el-Khalili, where coppersmiths and artisans still have their tiny workshops, and stalls are laden with ceramics, textiles, spice, and perfume.

Surrounding the market is a muddle of roads, home to some of the most beautiful preserved architecture of the old Islamic empires.

There is a wealth of history here to explore. Visit Al-Azhar Mosque and the dazzling Sultan Hassan Mosque , and make sure to climb up to the roof of the ancient medieval gate of Bab Zuweila for the best minaret-speckled panoramas across the district.

Mornings are the best time to visit this district as the narrow lanes are at their quietest. If you're planning to visit the area's mosques though, avoid visiting on Fridays (the Muslim holy day) . If you want to enter mosques as a tourist, dress conservatively (covering arms and legs) and bring along a scarf to throw over your head if you're female.

Keen shoppers should head to Khan el-Khalili in the evening: the shops here are all open until late and the souq is at its most vibrant after dark.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Cairo & Easy Day Trips

Egypt's South Sinai region, on the Sinai Peninsula, offers a beach for every type of traveler.

Sharm el-Sheikh is a European-style resort town packed full of luxury hotels, international restaurants, and bags of entertainment options. A favorite with Europeans on winter-sun vacations, many of the resorts here cater to families on one- or two-week sun-and-sand breaks.

Dahab is a low-key beach town with a budget-traveler heart, which is just as much about desert excursions and adventures as the sea. It's particularly known for its cheap dive-package deals and for its lagoon beach area where windsurfing and kitesurfing are the top activity.

Up the coast, between the port town of Nuweiba and the border town of Taba are the bamboo hut retreats that offer complete get-away-from-it-all respites from life and back-to-basics beach life.

Everyone's heard of Giza's Pyramids, but they're not the only pyramids Egypt has up its sleeve. Day-tripping distance from Cairo , Saqqara is a vast necropolis of tombs and pyramids that was utilized during every era of Pharaonic rule.

It's best known for its Old Kingdom Step Pyramid, which shows how the architects of Ancient Egypt advanced their engineering knowledge to finally create a true pyramid shape.

There's much more to see beyond the Step Pyramid, though, with some of the surrounding tombs, such as the Mastaba of Ti, showcasing some of the finest tomb paintings you'll see in the country.

Nearby, the pyramid site of Dahshur is home to the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid, which should be included on any Saqqara visit.

• Read More: Exploring Saqqara: A Visitor's Guide

A treasure trove of the Pharaonic world, Cairo's Egyptian Museum is one of the world's great museum collections . The faded pink mansion in downtown Cairo is home to a dazzling amount of exhibits.

The museum's exhibits cover the breadth of the Pharaonic era with highlights including its artifacts from pre-dynastic Egypt, the Old Kingdom galleries displaying the fine statuary from Egypt's period of pyramid builders, and the displays of glittering funerary goods unearthed from the country's most famous tomb finds.

Make sure to reserve enough time at the museum to fully view the galleries devoted to the grave goods of Yuya and Thuya and the royal tombs of Tanis (both upstairs).

Until Giza's much-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opens, the Egyptian Museum is also where you come to see a selection of the riches from Tutankhamen's Valley of the Kings tomb. When the GEM finally does open, these will be moved there (and the entire Tutankhamen collection will be displayed in full for the first time).

Everything else though in the Egyptian Museum's collection will be staying in place.

Egypt's kookiest natural wonder is White Desert National Park, out in the Western Desert, just south of Bahariya Oasis. Here, surreally shaped chalk pinnacles and huge boulders loom over the desert plateau, creating a scene that looks like icebergs have found themselves stranded amid a landscape of sand.

This highly scenic environment looks like something out of a science fiction movie and is a favorite destination for 4WD desert trips and overnight camping , which are both easiest organized in Bahariya Oasis.

For desert fans and adventurers, this is the ultimate weird playground, while anybody who's had their fill of temples and tombs will enjoy this spectacular natural scenery.

Alexandria has a history that not many others can match.

Founded by Alexander the Great, home of Cleopatra, and razzmatazz renegade city of the Mediterranean for much of its life, this seafront city has an appealing days-gone-by atmosphere that can't be beaten.

Although today, there are few historic remnants of its illustrious past left to see, Alexandria's long seafront Corniche road leading to its fort (sitting on the site where its famous ancient lighthouse once sat) remains a favorite summer destination to capture cooling sea breezes for Egyptians and foreign visitors alike.

Underwater archaeological projects here have imbued Alexandria's museums with interesting exhibits. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a contemporary interpretation of Alexandria's famed ancient library, and the handful of historic sights in town include an atmospheric catacombs site.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Alexandria

The Temple of Osiris in Abydos is one of Ancient Egypt's most fascinating artistic treasures.

The temple, begun by Seti I, sits amid a vast necropolis site where archaeological excavations are ongoing. There a various other temple remnants to see here but for most visitors, the Temple of Osiris is the main reason to visit.

Its hypostyle halls, graced by papyrus-headed columns, contain some of the finest relief-work in Egypt, with various scenes portraying the pharaoh and the gods of Ancient Egypt.

As the temple lies north of Luxor, it isn't on the main Nile cruise ship route, so it receives much fewer visitors than the temple sites in Luxor itself and the Nile-side temples to the south. This means you are often lucky enough to wander through the temple's halls with only a few other visitors on site.

• Read More: Exploring The Temples of Abydos: A Visitor's Guide

Sitting in isolation, in the western corner of the Western Desert, Siwa is the tranquil tonic to the hustle of Egypt's cities. This gorgeous little oasis, surrounded by date palm plantations and numerous hot-water springs, is one of the Western Desert's most picturesque spots.

Siwa town is centered around the ruins of a vast mud-brick citadel, known as the Fortress of Shali, which dominates the view, while various temple remnants, including the Temple of the Oracle where Alexander the Great is said to have come to receive advice, are scattered throughout the wider oasis area.

This is a top spot to wind down and go slow for a few days, as well as being an excellent base from which to plan adventures into the surrounding desert.

One of the oldest monasteries in the world, St. Catherine's stands at the foot of Mount Sinai, amid the desert mountains of the Sinai Peninsula, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.

This desert monastery is home to an incredible collection of religious iconography, art, and manuscripts (some of which can be seen in the on-site museum), as well as the burning bush.

For most visitors here, a trip to St. Catherine's also involves a hike up Mount Sinai to see sunrise or sunset. Take the camel path for the easy route, or climb the famous Steps of Repentance if you want better views.

Egypt's Red Sea coastline offers swaths of sand for travelers who want a time-out from temple viewing.

During winter, the resorts scattered along the shore surrounding Hurghada jump into life as European families arrive on package tourism breaks.

The big bonus of choosing a resort on the Red Sea coast over one on the Sinai Peninsula is that you are within day-tripping distance to Luxor, so this is the best place to visit for beach life if you still want to easily see some of Egypt's most famous monuments.

Hurghada and El Gouna are the two main resort towns, while the smaller, and still being-developed, town of Marsa Alam is much farther south.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Red Sea Region

The Cairo district known as Coptic Cairo is one of the most important Christian sites in the country.

Originally the Fortress of Babylon, dating back to the Achaemenid Empire's conquest of Egypt in 525 BCE, this district is home to Cairo's oldest surviving church, synagogue, and mosque, as well as the excellent Coptic Museum, which holds the world's largest collection of Coptic Christian art and antiquities.

A section of the Fortress of Babylon's walls, which were repaired and expanded under Roman rule, are also still standing and are the entrance into the district.

Make sure to visit the Hanging Church, which holds a fine collection of icons and was built half over the Roman-era water wheel (hence the church's name). Then thread your way down the narrow alley to the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus which, according to local tradition, was built atop the site where the Holy Family with the infant Jesus lived in refuge after fleeing King Herod.

Nearby, the Ben Ezra Synagogue is famous for being the site where the Geniza documents cache were discovered.

A short walk away is the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al As, built by the Arab Muslim army commander (and later, first governor of Egypt) after conquering Egypt.

Wadi Al-Hitan is in the Fayoum area, a lush and fertile depression fed by ancient canals and surrounded by desert.

The Fayoum itself, with Lake Quran, the pottery village of Tunis, and Pharaonic ruins scattered across the hinterland, is an interesting place to visit, but the main tourist attraction here, in the nearby desert, is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wadi Al-Hitan.

Amid the orange dunes and jagged rocks of this desert valley, a vast fossil cache of the oldest prehistoric whales (the basilosaurus and dorodontus) were discovered, hugely aiding human understanding of the evolution of whales.

Some of the finds have been kept in situ, with walking tracks radiating out from the visitor's center to skeleton sites sitting amid the sand.

In the visitor center itself, a museum dedicated to the site does an excellent job of explaining Wadi Al-Hitan's importance, and displays many of the site's other finds, including a skeleton of a basilosaurus whale that measures 18 meters long.

The Temple of Hathor at Dendara was built in the late Pharaonic era and extended during the Roman period, though Dendara itself was an important cult center from early on in the period of Ancient Egypt.

A trip here is well worth a day trip from Luxor, as the temple's youth (in comparison to other Pharaonic temples) means that it is one of the most complete surviving temples in Egypt.

The reliefs and decoration here are in an excellently preserved state. In particular, while in the hypostyle hall, which was built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius, note the columns topped by heads of the Egyptian god Hathor, and the wall reliefs of the emperor paying tribute to the Egyptian gods.

Dendara is just outside the city of Qena, 80 kilometers north from Luxor.

Secreted within the jagged northern mountains of the Red Sea coast, the Monastery of St. Anthony has been a working monastery since the 4th century, and today is still home to around 120 monks.

The Church of St. Anthony, within the fortress-like compound, has an interior of secco wall paintings that are considered one of the most important collections of Egyptian Coptic art in the world and date from around the 11th and 12th centuries. The church is also home to the tomb of St. Anthony (the father of monasticism) and is a major pilgrimage destination for Egyptian Coptic Christians.

Monks run tours of the monastery that include visiting the church and some of the monastery's gardens, as well as allowing you to head up and walk on top of the monastery's walls.

St. Anthony's Monastery is very isolated. If you don't have your own transport, the easiest way to get here is to hire a driver from Cairo or Hurghada.

More on Egypt

Essay on My Trip To Egypt

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Trip To Egypt in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Trip To Egypt

Planning my trip.

I was excited to visit Egypt, a country famous for its ancient history. My family and I planned carefully. We packed our bags with clothes for warm weather and made a list of places we wanted to see like the pyramids and the Nile River.

Arriving in Egypt

When we landed in Egypt, the air was warm. We went to our hotel, which had a view of the pyramids. It felt like stepping into a history book. The sights were even more amazing than the pictures.

Exploring the Pyramids

The pyramids were huge! Walking around them made me feel small. We learned that they were tombs for pharaohs. It’s amazing how they were built thousands of years ago without modern machines.

Sailing the Nile

We took a boat ride on the Nile. The river was wide and calm. On both sides, I saw green fields and palm trees. It was peaceful and beautiful. I imagined how people lived by this river long ago.

250 Words Essay on My Trip To Egypt

My adventure in egypt.

Last year, I went on an exciting trip to Egypt, a country in Africa known for its ancient history and beautiful deserts. Egypt is a place where stories from old books come to life, with tall pyramids and mighty pharaohs.

Seeing the Pyramids

One of the best parts of my trip was visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza. These huge triangle-shaped buildings were made thousands of years ago and are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Standing in front of them, I felt very small. It was amazing to think about how people long ago built them without modern machines.

Cruising the Nile River

I also got to ride on a boat down the Nile River, the longest river in the world. The water was so blue, and on both sides, I could see green lands and palm trees. People were farming and kids were playing near the water. It was peaceful and beautiful.

Exploring the Egyptian Museum

In Cairo, the capital city, I visited the Egyptian Museum. This place is full of treasures from ancient Egypt, like gold masks and real mummies. I saw the famous mask of King Tutankhamun, which shined like the sun. It was like walking into a treasure box.

My Final Thoughts

This trip to Egypt was a dream come true. I learned a lot about history and saw things I had only read about in books. I hope to go back one day and see more of this wonderful country. Egypt is a place that everyone should visit at least once.

500 Words Essay on My Trip To Egypt

Planning my egyptian adventure, arriving in cairo.

Our first stop was Cairo, Egypt’s bustling capital. The city was full of life, with cars honking and street vendors selling delicious food. We stayed in a cozy hotel near the city center, which made it easy to visit famous places.

Visiting the Great Pyramids

The next day, we went to see the Great Pyramids of Giza. Standing in front of these huge stone structures, I felt like I had traveled back in time. The pyramids were much bigger than I imagined. We took a camel ride around them, which was both bumpy and fun. I learned that the largest pyramid was built for Pharaoh Khufu and that it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Exploring the Sphinx

Discovering the egyptian museum.

In Cairo, we also visited the Egyptian Museum. It was like a treasure chest filled with golden masks, mummies, and ancient jewelry. The most amazing thing I saw was King Tutankhamun’s golden mask. It shone brightly and had detailed designs that were very pretty.

We took a boat ride on the Nile River, which is the longest river in the world. The cool breeze felt nice as we watched the sunset. On the riverbanks, I saw farmers working in their fields just like in the old times.

Exploring Luxor’s Ancient Temples

Learning to write hieroglyphics.

In Luxor, we also tried writing hieroglyphics, which are picture letters that Egyptians used to write. It was tricky but fun to use symbols instead of letters. I wrote my name using a small bird, a wavy line, and a few other symbols.

Enjoying Egyptian Food

The food in Egypt was tasty. I loved eating koshari, a dish with rice, pasta, and lentils, topped with a spicy tomato sauce. We also tried falafel, which are fried balls made of chickpeas. For dessert, we had baklava, a sweet pastry with nuts and honey.

My trip to Egypt was an adventure I’ll never forget. I saw ancient wonders, learned about a fascinating culture, and met friendly people. Egypt is a place where the past and present meet, and I am happy I got to experience it. I hope to return one day and discover even more about this beautiful country.

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Tourism in Egypt

• Sunday، 15 May 2016 - 12:00 AM

1- Plans to attract more tourists with a view to:- • Maintaining the current growth rates and Egypt's competitive status on the major traditional markets like Britain, Russia, Italy, Germany and France. • Achieving high growth rates in the number of tourists, who come from the emerging markets in a way that can be harmonized with the tangible speed in the growth of these markets like Ukraine, Poland and the Czech Republic. • Upgrading Egypt's competitive status on the new markets and identifying the Egyptian tourism modes in a comprehensive and effective way - India and China. • Improving the image of the Egyptian tourism types at the international level and achieving the highest quality of services received by tourists and to be careful on how far these services and prices of flights are harmonized • Developing plans to promote and diversify the tourism modes on a sustained basis in a way that meets the needs and requirements of the overseas markets. • Launching a promotion campaign via mass media of the major exporters of tourists and expanding this campaign via satellite channels. To achieve these goals, the plans should include the following: - Implementing a partnership programme with leading tour operators to support direct sales - Implementing a programme to support charter flight in some destinations according to market needs so as to attract more influx of tourists. - Implementing an international public relations campaign through outside travel offices - Establishing and developing a website as a promotion to Egypt that has been launched in 13 languages (Arabic will be added to the website in 2008) - Launching a promotion campaign on the Arab market under the title "welcome to Egypt" and expanding this campaign by tourism groups covering major Arab countries. - Providing excellent tourist services with outstanding quality and delivering these services to visiting categories with high spending and special interests. - Addressing new segments and launching new tourism modes, such as desert tourism, golf tourism, therapeutic tourism as well as accommodation, conferences and shopping tourism. 2- Plans to provide different tourism modes, including the following: - Developing the coastal and desert areas outside the city cordons. - Planning and supervising tourism development projects - Determining the body concerned that will manage the land earmarked for tourism investment. - Maximizing the private sector's role in the development process and limiting the role of the state for planning, supervising and monitoring operations. - Diversifying the tourism product (hotel, Ecolodge, environmental hotel, Safari tourism, yacht tourism, golf courts and accommodation units..). - Undertaking infrastructure projects in the tourism development centres (implemented by the private sector, where the total investments stand at LE 3.3 billion in roads, electricity, water, sanitation and airports). • Applying control systems, upgrading the quality and developing the ships' anchorage as well as reducing road accidents and training to raise the quality of services in Egypt. Tourism Development Authority's plan until 2017 The plan of the Tourism Development Authority is aiming at boosting tourism and increasing the hotel rooms, tourism revenues and jobs until 2017, as well as attracting more tourists to reach 16 million tourists and increase the number of tourist nights to 130 million nights. The main axes of tourism development strategy are as follows: - • Changing the role of the public sector so as to become organized, encouraging and simplified as well as expanding the role of the private sector. • Developing the legal and institutional framework. • Supplying the areas of development with the necessary infrastructure. • Preserving environment. • Identifying the priorities for overall development.  

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Boosting tourism in Egypt: Developing a more enhanced, local experience

Steps away from Bab Zuweila, one of the last-standing ancient gates to Historic Cairo, is a narrow alleyway lined with vibrant fabric and handmade artisanal items. Known as Sharia Khayamiya (Street of the Tentmakers), where one-of-a-kind handcrafts have been designed, made and sold since the 17th century, it is a living testament to Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.

The area’s name is taken from the Arabic word for the intricately appliquéd textiles used to decorate the interior of tents. Ayda Abdullah, who has a shop in the middle of Khayamiya, spends hours every day making pillows, mattresses, table runners and other specialty cloth items.

“People working in this ages-old market do everything by themselves, from designing a product to actually producing it,” Abdullah says. “Nothing is manufactured. Everything is handmade, which means more hours are put in to produce high-quality traditional products representative of Egypt’s historic culture.”

Abdullah has been running the shop on her own for the past 10 years, since the death of her husband. She supports her three children, and her livelihood depends entirely on tourism, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, she is struggling to promote her business.

“I realize I have a role to play in cultural tourism, but I am also aware of some impediments in pursuing that role, including marketing skills and platforms for exposure,” she says. “I cannot market my work and I am at the mercy of merchants. I also have a hard time purchasing raw materials as they are very expensive.”

Abdullah will be participating in a workshop, hosted by the Integrated Management of Cultural Tourism (IMCT) project, to hone her skills. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by FHI 360, IMCT is endeavoring to create more authentic experiences for people traveling to Egypt while bolstering the country’s tourism industry and improving the quality of life for those living and working in Historic Cairo and Luxor Governorate.

Learning by doing is one way that tourists can make a deeper connection to Egypt’s history and culture. Photo credit: Motaz Bellah/FHI 360

FHI 360 is collaborating with the government of Egypt to improve the sustainability of the sector and forging public-private partnerships to help stimulate investment in cultural heritage sites and nearby businesses. But the communities around those sites — the voices of local shop owners and employees — are guiding the project’s work. In November 2021, FHI 360 held community engagement workshops, inviting local artisans, shop owners, employees and aspiring entrepreneurs to share their greatest challenges and goals around strengthening and growing their businesses.

Using the information gleaned at those sessions, FHI 360 will host trainings to help community members build their skills in areas considered most important for success — marketing, branding, product design, communications, storytelling and English. FHI 360 has also partnered with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to connect local business owners with microfinance institutions for the funding they need to develop high-quality products and expand their operations.

“I have great hope that through the project I will be able to have a sales outlet and great marketing skills to promote my work from my own stance, sell my products away from merchants and earn a decent living,” says Abdullah.

Community coordinators like Hayam Abdel Ma’soud ensure that the biggest needs and priorities of the communities are understood.

“Marketing is one of the major impediments that people here in Historic Cairo face,” says Ma’soud. “They do not really have their own sales outlets to market and sell their products. They are not even linked to expos to showcase their products. Many local artisans and business owners working in heritage and cultural tourism are deciding to move on from their current work, given the low levels of revenue.”

Five minutes down the street from Abdullah’s shop, Eid Saleh hand-knots carpets and rugs using the art of Egyptian and Iranian embroidery. Often he will sit for eight hours straight to produce a single knotted line. It is tedious work, and turning a profit is rarely guaranteed. Most of his creations are sold through merchants, who take a steep cut of his earnings.

“I need as many people as I can find to know me and realize the piece of work I’m producing,” he says. “I am very keen on attending the IMCT marketing and communications workshops. I believe these workshops will provide me with the perfect skill set to promote myself and my work and help me retain my workers in this valuable industry.”

Through IMCT, FHI 360 will support about 500 shop owners and employees like Saleh and Abdullah, helping them to reap the rewards of their unique crafts, engage with tourists and ensure the preservation of heritage sites for decades to come.

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Your Guide to the Different Types of Tourism in Egypt

Egypt has many kinds of tourism, each showing a different side of this wealthy country. This article will tell you everything you need to know about the different types of tourism in Egypt , where to find them, and how to enjoy them. Tourism in Egypt makes up more than 11% of the country’s GDP and 40% of its non-merchandise exports, and it also employs 12% of the country’s workers and serves up to 15 million tourists each year.

Egypt has always been a popular place for tourists, mainly because it has so many beautiful artifacts from the time of the Pharaohs. This made Egypt more beautiful, and people from all over the world set up tours to see the country’s unique beauty and the interesting religious and cultural sites all over the country.

Egypt is also a great country because of its location and the weather’s pleasant all year, especially along its long coastline. Egypt has a lot of amazing things that make it a great place to visit, especially if you want to see some of the most impressive ancient sites and have a magical vacation.

Egypt’s oldest type of tourism is archaeological or cultural tourism. Egypt is mainly known for its unique ancient civilizations, which can be seen in the beautiful buildings and achievements it has made since the beginning of history.

Egypt has over a third of the world’s most impressive monuments, meaning other countries can’t compete in this type of tourism. There are many different kinds of tourism besides cultural tourism, like religious, sports, desert, ecotourism, medical, marine, festivals, diving centers, and exhibitions. Here are the four main kinds of travel that people do in Egypt.

Cultural Tourism

Since great attractions were found in ancient Egypt, this is Egypt’s primary type of tourism. Through cultural tourism, every tourist will learn about the history of the ancient Egyptians and their way of life. Egypt has a lot of beautiful cultural and archaeological tourist sites that date back more than 5000 years and always attract people.

The beautiful capital of Egypt, Cairo , is one of the incredible ancient cities because it has some of the best places to see, such as the fantastic three pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menekure, which were the tombs of the pharaohs, which were part of the Giza pyramid complex , one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt.

Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of King Khufu is the last pyramid still standing. Undoubtedly, this makes visiting such an excellent site even more important, and tourists love seeing this beautiful place.

Near the complex is the famous Grand Egyptian Museum , which is the most important archaeological museum in the world, containing tens of thousands of artifacts from ancient Egypt. Inside the complex, you can also see the Hypnotic Sphinx, who watched over the complex when Khufu built it. It would be an excellent opportunity to see the Valley Temple, which tells a fascinating story of how ancient people mummified their dead to prepare them for the journey to the afterlife.

Visit the Step Pyramid of Saqqara , the first pyramid built in Egypt, to see the other pyramids. You will be close to the city of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, and you can take a beautiful cultural tour of the Pyramids of Dahshur , where you can see the Red Pyramid and the Pyramid of Bent.

Cairo is not the only city with many unique historical sites. It would be worthwhile to also go to Luxor , home to some of the most important and impressive temples ever built by humans. The enchanting Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut , the magnificent Karnak , Luxor Temple , the Colossi of Memnon , and the stunning Valley of the Kings , including the massive ancient tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, and many other significant cultural sites are some of the best things to see while in Luxor.

Not only that, but the landmarks in two Egyptian cities also show an essential part of Egyptian culture. One of them is the beautiful city of Aswan , which follows the glory of the cities of Egypt and has some of the most famous places that tourists love to visit, such as the magnificent High Dam , Philae Temple of the ancient goddess Isis, and Abu Simbel . Beautiful Nubian temples and villages, where you can meet wonderful Nubians and learn about some of the best Egyptian traditions and customs.

Alexandria is another excellent historical tourist city in Egypt. It has some of the best places to see and things to do, such as the Citadel of Qaitbay , Pompey’s pillar , the Catacombs of kom el shoqafa , and last but not least, the magical Library of Alexandria , where you can find a copy of every book ever written in the world. Next, you’ll move from Egypt’s historical attractions to fun things to do along the coast.

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Religious Tourism

Egypt is the home of heavenly religions, where people of different faiths met and lived together for many years. As a result, the land of the pharaohs had gathered all the dominions. So, if you like religious tourism, Egypt is an excellent place to go because it has a rich religious history that will meet your needs. Let’s divide the religious sites in Egypt into:

Islamic Sightseeing

Egypt is an Islamic country, so most rulers worked hard to build more Islamic landmarks during the Islamic Empire. Most of these landmarks were built in the shape of mosques, and here is a list of the most famous mosques in Egypt’s history:

• Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque 
• Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque
• Sultan Hassan Mosque 
• Mohammad Ali Mosque 
• Al-Hakim Mosque
• Sayyida Zeinab Mosque

Castles and citadels are also important Islamic landmarks. They were mostly built to protect the country from attacks by enemies. Here are some of Egypt’s most common defenses:

• Salah El-Din Citadel
• Citadel of Qaitbey in Alexandria
• Castle Aqaba
• Al-Arish Castle

Coptic Landmarks

Several Christian and Coptic sites in Egypt are popular with tourists and adventurers worldwide:

• The Hanging Church
• Church of St. Mary
• Church of Abu Serga
• Church of the Holy Virgin
• Church of Saint Menas
• Monastery of St. Catherine in Egypt

Jews Landmarks

There are also some historical sites related to the Jews, such as 

• The Ben Ezra Synagogue
• Mount Sinai
• and the Jewish Alley or such is called “Haret AL Yahood” in Arabic, which gathered hundreds of Jews to this day exists now.

Leisure Tourism

Egypt is the best vacation spot in the world, so it is on the Red Sea , the Gulf of Suez, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Mediterranean Sea. So, if you like to relax or spend time by the sea, you can have the most fun and relax in Egypt. You will love the clean, clear waters of the Red Sea and the beautiful beaches in tourist cities like Hurghada , Sharm El Sheikh , Marsa Allam , El Gouna, Dahab , and Al Ain EL Sokhna.

In these cities, you can be amazed by the beauty of the Red Sea while snorkeling or scuba diving on well-equipped boats with a highly qualified instructor. You can also take a beautiful desert safari on a quad bike, where you can take pictures and learn more about the Egyptian deserts. On the Red Sea, you can also swim in the pool and relax on the sands of the beautiful coastal beaches.

Medical Travel

Egypt’s holy waters and sacred lands have always been known to have magical and healing powers. Egypt’s best and most famous thing is its mineral water, which has no moisture. Staying in the sand is the best way to treat many diseases, like bone and skin diseases, problems with the digestive system, and many others.

There are many signs that the water from the Red Sea can help people with psoriasis get better. Some might wonder where medical tourism is in Egypt. 16 places, both inland and on the coast, are popular with medical tourists. Hurghada, Helwan, Ain El-Sira, Aswan, Sinai, Safaga, Al-Ain El-Sokna, the Oasis, and Fayoum are some of the most famous. Here are the best medical places in Egypt where you might be lucky enough to spend some of your vacation time:

Baharia Oasis

You’ll find the fantastic springs of Halfa, which have the best warm water, and a lot of tourists from all over the world who come here to relax.

Beaulac Wells

In addition to the fantastic dunes near the wells, the water there is full of minerals that are good for you. These minerals can cure many diseases, such as rheumatism, joint pain, and rheumatoid.

Nasser Wells

There are three bottomless wells, and they are all connected to make a pool. Warm water often treats rheumatism, skin inflammation, kidney stones, and other digestive problems.

Farafra Oasis

The new Valley Oasis has a lot of herbs and plants, like Al-Ashaar Karkade and Dammsesa, which are used to treat rheumatism and diseases of the digestive system. The catnip herb can help with stomachaches, and the Egleeg herb is the best way to treat diabetes.

The Sands of Safaga

Because Safaga has a mild climate, its magical sands can treat psoriasis. Its unique radioactive mineral elements, such as Uranium, Potassium, and Thorium, can also treat joint pains and skin inflammation. People who have had liver, heart, or kidney disease in the past will like it most because the low gravity helps people with high blood flow.

We hope this article for Egypt Tours for Seniors has helped you figure out how to plan your trip. If you want your trip to Egypt to go well, don’t miss these essential guides that will help you plan from start to finish:

• Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Safety & Security in Egypt
• Best Time to Travel to Egypt – Your Guide For 2023

Tipping in Egypt: How to deal with it

• Weather & Climate of Egypt | Temperature in Egypt

Top 35 Traditional Egyptian Food To Try

• Entry into Egypt – All Documents you need
• Can I apply for an Egypt visa online?
• Top 15 Egypt Museums you have to visit – Hidden Gems
• Top 7 Cities Must Visit in Egypt

Is Nile Cruise worth it? Travel tips about sailing the Nile

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Egypt Tours for Seniors: Top Travel Tips, Sights & Tours

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Hot Air Balloon Luxor: Floating Amongst Pharaohs

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Full Guide For Visiting Egypt in January 2024/2025

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The heritage tourism in the pyramids of egypt, how are the pyramids of egypt protected, secrets of the pyramids of egypt, sustainable tourism in the pyramids of egypt.

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Egypt Tourism and Its Importance in Sustainable Development Goals

Current status and prospects for development of international tourism in the arab republic of egypt, analysis of ecotourism, culture and local community empowerment: case study of wasur national park - indonesia, using the traditional handicrafts in applying sustainability in hotels, the case of siwa oasis, linking between high-performance work practices (hpwps) and organizational ambidexterity: an empirical study, understanding attacks on tourists in egypt., destination marketing and image repair during tourism crises: the case of egypt, on the empirical relationship between tourism and economic growth, trending questions (1).

Tourism contributes to the economy by providing annual dollar revenues, foreign currency returns, and employment opportunities.

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18 Top Tourist Attractions in Egypt

By Mike Kaplan · Last updated on May 4, 2024

One of the most popular countries to visit on the continent, Egypt lies in the northeast corner of Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Home to incredible tourist attractions such as the Valley of the Kings, the Great Sphinx, and the pyramids at Giza, it is famed around the world for its ancient monuments and age-old archaeological sites.

Although focus of most tourist visits remains the great monuments along the Nile, possibilities for Egyptian travel also includes snorkeling and diving along the Red Sea coast. Other things to do in Egypt include camel trips into the mountains of Sinai, tours to remote oases or visits to the Coptic monasteries of the Eastern Desert.

In addition, the country has a rich culture and heritage for you to delve into, with fantastic museums and monasteries alongside a plethora of Ancient Egyptian attractions.

18. Temple of Isis at Philae

Located in southern Egypt, the Temple of Isis lies on a small island in a reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, surrounded by the swift-flowing waters of the river Nile. Originally located on Philae, it was dismantled and then relocated and reconstructed on Agilkia Island in the 1970s to protect and preserve the ancient complex from flooding.

Impressively, the temple is the oldest built in the classical Egyptian style and dates back to the third century BC. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, it features sturdy stone columns and carefully carved capitals, with age-old hieroglyphs also on show.

Besides the terrific Temple of Isis, there are some stunning shrines, statues, and sculptures for visitors to check out, with Aswan’s alluring sights lying not far away.

One of the most important and impressive archaeological sites in Egypt, the ancient city of Abydos lies in the center of the country, just a couple of hours north of Luxor. Home to an astounding array of temples, tombs, and tantalizing treasures, it was here that the early pharaohs were buried, with the royal necropolis of Seti I being the undoubted highlight.

Wandering around the extensive yet largely unexcavated site is an awe-inspiring experience as massive monuments and cavernous chapels, chambers and courts lie all around. Once the main cult center of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, Abydos is thought to have been founded over six thousand years ago, remaining in use as a necropolis for most of that time.

16. Temple of Edfu

Boasting an extraordinary entrance, the Temple of Edfu lies on the banks of the river Nile, between Luxor and Aswan. Built between 237 and 57 BC, the Ptolemaic temple is dedicated to Horus; one of the most important ancient Egyptian deities.

Very well-preserved, it showcases remarkable reliefs and delightfully detailed carvings and hieroglyphs; even its roof is intact. Surrounding its sanctuary are nine chapels, and large stone columns line its divinely decorated halls.

It is its gigantic gateway that is the Temple of Edfu’s standout feature; it is guarded by grand granite statues and decorated with reliefs of long-gone pharaohs.

15. Bibliotheca Alexandrina

One of the most important centers of learning and culture in the country, Bibliotheca Alexandrina is located in Egypt’s second-largest city of Alexandria, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Opened in 2002, it attempts to replicate, commemorate, and celebrate the knowledge and learning that once took place in the Great Library of Alexandria – one of the ancient world’s greatest institutions.

It certainly achieves its goal. Within the complex are a number of magnificent museums and art galleries and a fabulous planetarium, while its main reading room can hold up to eight million books. The library exhibits lovely architecture: its design imitates the rising sun, and its exterior is coated in symbols and scripts from all around the world.

14. Red Pyramid

Surrounded by the endless sands of the Sahara, the Red Pyramid is located some 40 kilometers to the south of Cairo at the Dahshur necropolis. Widely believed to be the first successful smooth-sided pyramid ever built, it dates to 2590 BCE and lies next to the Bent Pyramid, an earlier and unique but ultimately unsuccessful attempt.

Once encased in white limestone, the 105-meter-high pyramid is now a ruddy red – residents of Cairo carted off its outer layer and used it to erect buildings. Visitors to the Red Pyramid can enter its interior chambers through a series of narrow passageways and marvel at the astonishing feat of engineering which paved the way for the pyramids at Giza to be built.

13. Siwa Oasis

Set in a scenic yet secluded spot in the Sahara, Siwa Oasis lies not far from the border with Libya. It boasts its own unique desert culture and distinct dialect. Mostly made up of Berbers, the town is primarily known for being home to the powerful and prestigious Temple of the Oracle, which even Alexander the Great came to consult.

While its revered ruins attract the most visitors, astounding archaeological sites, such as the rock tombs of Gebel al Mawta and the crumbling mud-brick fortress of Shali, are also well worth checking out. Siwa Oasis has a rich history, culture and heritage for you to delve into, with stunning salt lakes and desert scenery found nearby.

12. Blue Hole (Dahab)

One of Egypt’s most popular dive sites, the Blue Hole, lies just north of Dahab on the southeast of the Sinai Peninsula. Dropping straight down for over a hundred meters, the sinkhole is brimming with colorful coral reefs and shimmering shoals of fish.

Due to the abundance of marine life and shoreline accessibility, recreational scuba divers line up to explore its underwater riches every day. While it is perfectly safe, the Blue Hole has unfortunately claimed the lives of a number of deep divers as they attempted to pass through its archway – a 26 meter-long tunnel which lies more than 55 meters below the surface.

11. Al Azhar Mosque

The first mosque founded in the city, Al Azhar was built by the Fatimids in 972 in their newly established capital of Cairo . Located in its mesmerizing medieval quarter, the mosque exhibits exquisite architecture, with majestic minarets and madrasas lying alongside divinely decorated prayer halls and marble-coated courtyards.

In addition to the fine features and flourishes that date to the Mamluks and Ottomans, among others, Al Azhar is also one of the oldest seats of learning in the world and still functions as a university to this day.

10. St Catherine’s Monastery

Set in the center of the Sinai Peninsula, St Catherine’s Monastery lies not far from the small town of the same name, beneath the wonderfully weathered Willow Peak. Sacred to Christians, Muslims, and Jews, it is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, having been established in the year 324.

Enclosed within its ancient walls, you can find a lovely church, mosque, and library, as well as innumerable important icons and mosaics. On top of its historical, cultural, and religious value, St Catherine’s Monastery also boasts some superb scenery: it is set in a spectacular spot in the desert.

9. Pyramid of Djoser

Out of all of Egypt’s astonishing and awe-inspiring archaeological sites, the Pyramid of Djoser stands alone as the first colossal stone monument constructed in the world. Due to the amount of labor and level of societal organizing needed, its construction represented an astounding leap from previous architectural styles and norms.

Dating all the way back to the 27th century BC, the stunning step pyramid was built to house the burial chamber of Pharaoh Djoser, and many tunnels and galleries can be found inside it. Part of the sprawling Saqarra necropolis, the phenomenal pyramid is flanked by colonnaded corridors, monumental halls, and courts, and lies some 30 kilometers to the south of Cairo.

8. Egyptian Museum

Full of glittering jewels, marvelous mummies, and stupendous statues, the Egyptian Museum is home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of ancient artifacts. First opened in 1902, the large pinkish-red building can be found in Downtown Cairo overlooking Tahrir Square.

Wedged within its grand galleries are over 100,000 objects, with sublime stone sculptures and tantalizing treasures wherever you look. While its intricately decorated furniture, boats, and sarcophagi make for fascinating viewing, the undoubted highlight is the glittering Gold Mask of Tutankhamun, which is renowned around the world.

7. Ras Mohammed

Lying right in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, the small and scenic peninsula of Ras Mohammed juts into the warm waters of the Red Sea. Now a national park, its desolate landscapes contrast delightfully with the colors and life found beneath its waves.

As such, it is one of the most popular places in Egypt to go scuba diving and snorkeling, with the famous Shark and Yolanda Reef sites being the pick of the lot. Besides its gorgeous coral reefs and shimmering shoals of fish, Ras Mohammed also has some beautiful beaches and superb scenery for visitors to enjoy.

6. River Nile Cruise

Cruising the Nile is one of the most popular things to do in Egypt. The Nile River has been Egypt’s lifeline since ancient times and there is no better way to trace the passage of Egypt’s history than to follow the course of the Nile.

Almost all Egyptian cruise ships travel the Luxor-Aswan route which is safe, scenic and terminates at two of Egypt’s most important towns.

Taking a Felucca down the Nile is an adventurous option. Feluccas are sail boats that have been used on the Nile since antiquity. A Felucca is not quite as comfortable as a luxury cruise ship but nothing can beat sailing in a quiet rig that was designed thousands of years ago.

5. White Desert National Park

Boasting some of the most unique, unusual, and incredible landscapes in Egypt, White Desert National Park lies in the west of the country, not far from Farafra. Here, you’ll find sparkling white chalk rock formations, outcrops of glinting quartz, and the magically named Crystal Mountain.

Sculpted over millennia by the desert winds and sands of the Sahara, their surreal shapes and colors are mesmerizing to gaze upon, with the best views to be had from atop the two towering Twin Peaks. As the fantastic formations are so spectacularly lit up at sunset and sunrise, it is well worth camping the night in the national park to see them in all their glimmering glory.

4. Karnak Temple

Renowned for its staggering size, scale, and splendor, the Karnak Temple complex covers a vast area and is one of Luxor’s most popular attractions. While work first began on the site around 2000 BC, approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to its dazzling and decadent design, with each ruler adding their own temples and sanctuaries, chapels and obelisks.

Wandering around the temple really does feel like stepping back in time as you pass by colossal colonnades, human-headed sphinxes, and astounding architecture. The standout sight is the great Temple of Amun-Ra that dominates and defines the complex and boasts a majestic hypostyle hall.

3. Valley of the Kings

One of the most remarkable archaeological sites on Earth, the Valley of the Kings lies on the west bank of the river Nile, facing Luxor. Cut into the surrounding cliffs, valleys, and mountains are an incredible 63 royal tombs, with pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramesses buried here from the 16th to 11th century BC.

Most of these chambers are sumptuously decorated with religious texts and resplendent reliefs, although their glittering treasures and sarcophagi have long since been removed. Visiting the age-old tombs is an awe-inspiring experience as you navigate cool rock-cut corridors and emerge into burial chambers painted with arresting scenes from Egyptian mythology.

2. Temples of Abu Simbel

Set in the deep south of Egypt, not far from the border with Sudan, the Temples of Abu Simbel look out over the shimmering waters of Lake Nasser. Carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, the twin temples are one of the most iconic sights in Egypt thanks to the enormous rock relief figures flanking their entrance.

While the famed facades attract the most attention, their interiors are just as delightful to explore, with statues, reliefs, and pillared halls all on show. Almost as impressive as the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor is the fact that the complex was relocated entirely in 1968 to avoid the rising waters of the Aswan Dam.

1. Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza

Lying on the outskirts of Greater Cairo is one of humankind’s most astonishing architectural achievements – the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Built between 2580 to 2510 BC are three phenomenal pyramids, with the enormous Great Sphinx and its human-like features set beside them.

While the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure both make for stunning sights, the Pyramid of Khufu – the oldest, largest, and most intact of the trio – is the real showstopper. Towering to a staggering 146 meters, it is made out of more than 2.3 million blocks, with grand galleries and burial chambers found within.

Exploring the Giza Pyramid Complex on foot or camelback is an experience like no other as you pass by some of the oldest buildings on Earth with the desert stretching out all around you.

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Reader interactions.

June 11, 2018 at 6:26 pm

It’s very hard to put a list of only 10 top attractions in Egypt, because there are many more! Have you camped at the white desert and seen its magnificent rock formations? have you star-gazed in Sinai? or watched the sun-rise over the fossils and rock formations at the Whales Valley in Fayoum? or walked Mu’izz street in Islamic Cairo at night, watched a whirling dervishes show, then had tea at El-Fishawy Cafe? or walked the streets of downtown, and had coffee at one of its historical cafes? Well, the list is just endless..

September 26, 2015 at 10:04 am

Thank you so much for the descriptions and pictures. I’m visiting Cairo in October and already wrote down places I’m going to visit. You made it easy and very exciting for me. Thanks again 🙂

August 6, 2014 at 11:37 pm

Great article! Since I was a child, I’ve always been interested in the Valley of the Kings. I especially want to see King Tut’s tomb at least once in my life. Well, its great to know that there are a lot of beautiful tourist destinations in Egypt. I also saw one of the comments. Is there really such a thing as the sunken city in Alexandria? I hope you can write about it soon!

July 30, 2014 at 7:32 am

Well, this article has very nice pictures. But you missed the sunken city in Alexandria. it is full of sunken ancient Egyptian and Greek monuments!

March 8, 2014 at 10:55 am

Hundreds of miles of coral, a wealth of sea life, and crystal-clear waters earn Egypt’s Red Sea Coast recognition as one of the planet’s best dive destinations. The warm water, great visibility, and availability of excellent instructors make this a good spot to learn how to dive. Most scuba activity here is based out of Dahab, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Safaga, and Sharm El-Sheikh. The best diving spot on world by fodors.com top 10 list .this is my country 🙂

February 21, 2014 at 3:12 am

I want to see Giza, it is just a stone’s throw from Cairo and lies literally across the road from many of the most popular hotels.

August 19, 2013 at 3:19 pm

My number 1 place to visit in Egypt is Elephantine Island! It is in the middle of the nile and used to be used at a river check point into Lower Egypt. Great archeological site!

July 10, 2013 at 9:54 pm

What a wonderful place to visit and the sites and people of this land were incredible. We have just returned from the most memorable holiday ever.Our touring experience was exciting, safe and welcoming.No need to dig we had immediate access to knowledgeable, skilled and world class tour guides with great insight .Yes, from brilliant sunrise to splendid sunset every step of the tour, we were treated with warm friendly hospitality -Shukran

May 29, 2013 at 8:51 am

Looks very cool, I can’t wait to be on the river Nile cruise….. Pyramid of Giza , red sea reef etc Egypt I’m coming soon….

May 18, 2011 at 9:27 am

Wow, you’ve got some great pictures here! I remember studying Ancient Egypt at school and since then have loved the place!

December 5, 2010 at 1:49 pm

Egypt has always been the first travel destination choice for me. It is breathtaking and holds so much history. Travel is always joyous to me. The idea of getting lost in a unknown place is exciting to me. There are so many places to go, and no one to stop you. I have wanted to watch the sun rise and set among the great pyramids since I was 9 years old, and I am now considering deep diving into the Red Sea and have a look around.

December 5, 2010 at 1:44 pm

Egypt is a place that I would love to travel to. It has always been the place I imagined myself to watch the sun raise, while looking at the great pyramids. I have never thought the Red Sea would be a place to add to my list to visit in my travels while in Egypt but just the one picture shown above is beautiful and I would definatly take a dive in and wonder the sea.

Just knowing the history of Egypt is so inspriring to me. There are so many places in the world that are remarkable but yet there is not enough time do make it to every place. For the longest time I have wanted to travel around the world and film it, then sale them for domcumentaion to schools and other academic areas. I would be able to travel and make a profit off of it.

December 3, 2010 at 11:40 am

Argh the red sea reef looks amazing!! But the temples must also be pretty impressive. I really have to visit!

December 1, 2010 at 7:08 pm

I have not been to any of those tourists spots in Egypt and I am hoping that I can visit there next year. My first stop would be at the Pyramids of Giza.

November 26, 2010 at 11:42 pm

Egypt has been attracting tourist for several thousand years. The Pyramids of Giza, the beach resorts along the Red Sea, and the bazaars of Medieval Cairo this are the most attractive place in egypt. The best time to go is between October to May when a visit to the temples in Luxor.

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How Egypt is trying to encourage the return of tourism

Oct 5, 2020 • 2 min read

Egypt tries new ways to attract tourists © Dale Johnson/500px

The year 2020 was set to be a blockbuster one for tourism in Egypt. The Grand Egyptian Museum was slated to open this year after nearly two decades in the making, prompting Lonely Planet to name Cairo one of the top cities to visit in 2020 . It’s easier than ever to travel around the country, with the recent introduction of e-visas , the opening of a new airport in Giza and new domestic flight routes between Sharm El Sheikh and Luxor , two of the country’s main tourist hubs.

But even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to stifle international travel, Egypt is trying new tactics to lure visitors to the country. In June, the government eliminated the need for tourist visas for visitors to the country’s ‘touristic governorates’ – South Sinai , Red Sea , Luxor and Aswan – and the country’s cabinet has just decided to extend the incentive until the end of April 2021 to encompass the winter season, which is usually when Egypt receives the highest number of visitors. Travelers who fly with EgyptAir or Air Cairo also get a 20% discount on tickets to museums and archaeological sites.

The country reopened to tourists in July , and it’s yet to be seen whether these offers will entice more visitors. When arriving in Egypt, all passengers are required to present a negative PCR test certificate, with the test conducted no more than 72 hours before departure.

Egypt had expected to receive some 15 million tourists in 2020, matching the number of visitors in 2010, a year before the Arab Spring revolutions brought turmoil and uncertainty to the region, but as with all other countries, the numbers will fall far below the target. Tourism is an important industry in the country and makes up more than 10% of Egypt’s economy.

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The state of eco-tourism in Egypt

Ecotourism is getting a lot of attention now, but just how significant of a force is the budding industry in Egypt? Armed with a wealth of natural attractions scattered across three deserts, two seas and the Nile Delta, Egypt is ripe with options for more sustainable travel. The government has in recent years started speaking about the importance of better nurturing Egypt’s ecotourism attractions in its strategy to revive the tourism industry at large. And while there have been some efforts made in that regard, operators say a few fundamental hurdles still stand in the way of fully realizing that potential. So what is the state of ecotourism at the moment and just how much is being done to support the transition to sustainable travel?

Pinpointing the exact size of Egypt’s ecotourism industry is tricky , in large part because what counts as “ecotourism” isn’t clear. There are general principles: Minimizing harmful environmental impact, maintaining natural areas, and protecting indigenous culture are all core components of this kind of travel. But as far as concrete certifications are concerned, there are no unified rules and regulations, meaning operators are the ones left to decide exactly how ecologically sound their practices should be.

In Egypt, ecotourism generally refers to lower-carbon accommodation like eco-lodges and camping that are situated in the country’s many natural protectorates. For Basata — one of the oldest eco-lodges and campsites in Sinai — ecotourism means using fresh water sparingly, sorting trash and engaging with the local community. “We use a dual plumbing system where saltwater is used for toilets and cleaning activities and fresh water for our showers,” founder Sherif El Ghamrawy tells Enterprise. A portion of their food waste goes to feeding livestock and whatever remains is used to manufacture mud bricks on site, which they use to build new structures.

In Siwa, the guiding philosophy is similar. “Creating a sustainable travel destination consists of three main pillars: Respecting natural heritage, reviving cultural heritage and engaging the local community in heritage conservation,” Dr. Mounir Naemattalla, founder of luxury ecolodge Adrere Amellal and sustainable development consultancy EQI , tells us.

Local operators insist that the interest is there : “I think people want to experience nature and stay in eco-lodges but there currently aren’t enough,” Ghamrawy says. Eco-lodges and “semi-eco lodging” — as Ghamrawy described some of the campsites between Nuweiba and Taba — actually attract more visitors than hotels in the area do, he explained.

And official figures suggest a rising appreciation of Egypt’s natural beauty: Some 1.1 mn tourists visited protected areas between 2018 and 2021, a figure that was 5x greater than what the Environment Ministry had anticipated. In FY2019-2020, ticket sales at these sites reportedly generated revenues of EGP 30 mn , more than triple the sum in the four fiscal years prior.

This is part of a global trend: The global ecotourism industry in 2019 was estimated to be worth USD 181.1 bn in 2019, and is projected to reach USD 333.8 bn by 2027. Ecotourism in Africa alone is now worth some USD 29 bn a year employing 3.6 mn people, and is crucial to conservation and economic development efforts in remote parts of the region.

What has the government done so far to support ecotourism? Over the past two years the government has started to speak publicly about the importance of better utilizing our natural resources for tourist activities. The Environment Ministry earlier this year launched an ecotourism campaign, dubbed Eco Egypt , to promote 13 of the country’s 30 nature reserves. Maintaining the health of natural reserves is one of the ministry’s top priorities at the moment, Tamer Kamal El Din, General Manager of Red Sea Protectorates at the Environment Ministry tells us. More specifically, the ministry has been working on developing a new system for accurately logging and studying ecosystems’ health, constructing dams in flood zones like Wadi Degla, installing buoys at popular dive sites and building bird-watching towers in Sharm El Sheikh.

What more can be done to support the industry? Putting in place clear rules that specifically govern the activities of companies in the ecotourism space would be a good start, says Ghamrawy. These include regulations on things such as how close to the coastline they can construct buildings, what materials to use and how to organize trips for guests. He adds that he is currently working alongside a number of operators on drafting a set of guidelines for how to run ecologically sound tourism businesses.

A little help for SMEs: Making it easier to register ecotourism-focused SMEs would really encourage a lot more activity too, Ghamrawy says. For some groups running low-capital operations like guided trekking tours in the mountains and wadis of South Sinai, the barrier to entry can be overwhelming. “It doesn’t make much sense to be governed by the same rules that large tourism operations are bound by,” Ghamrawy says. Shifting these rules would jive perfectly with the government’s policy of supporting SMEs, he said.

Opening up the outdoors: Easier access to nature would be a huge leap in supporting the industry, Wael Abed, who owns Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary at the Dakhla Oasis in New Valley, tells us. Wadis and outdoor locations not designated as protectorates often see restricted access due to heightened security concerns in remote regions. Making it easier for visitors to access these locations would be a huge boost for the industry, both Ghamrawy and Abed agree.

Awareness campaigns on sustainability and environmentally sound development are at the forefront of Naemattalla’s concern, he tells us.

More private sector involvement with natural protectorates could be on the horizon. Protectorates are technically public land, which means they can’t be sold to private entities, but granting operation rights for limited time periods are currently on the books, says Kamal El Din. Environment Ministry proposals have long pushed for legislation to allow private companies to manage protected areas , similar to how Orascom Development won rights to manage the Pyramids Plateau . But so far there hasn’t been much happening on that front. The first steps towards private-sector involvement in nature reserves took place earlier this year with the introduction of a privately owned “ Bedouin Tent, ” at the Petrified Forest protectorate in New Cairo.

And it doesn’t necessarily have to be driven by altruism. Investing in ecotourism doesn’t always need to be a philanthropic endeavour, Naemattalla explains. “Any new product done well has a great chance for success. A commitment to sustainability is one of the most powerful forms of branding for a country, a region or an enterprise,” he says.

While there’s still a lot to be done to better support ecotourism, creating a thriving and sustainable industry will depend mostly on larger global trends like the resumption of global air travel and more visitors entering the country. What is clear though is that the way to better ensure visitors and operators commit to sustainable travel will likely require more than just promotional campaigns.

Your top climate stories for the week:

• West Bakr wind farm is now live: Lekela’s Actis-backed 250 MW wind farm became fully operational last week.
• Private sector eyes EV assembly: General Motors and Al Mansour Automotive could partner up to produce electric vehicles in Egypt under a MoU signed by the two companies last week.
• New ESG bonds are coming to Egypt: Companies in Egypt will soon be able to list social, ESG, gender equity and women’s empowerment, and sustainable development bonds on the EGX.
• Plastic Bank has collected 2.7k tonnes of plastic waste from Egypt and hopes to collect a total of 5k tonnes by 2023, the company announced in a statement .

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• 13 Reasons Why You Should...

Reasons You Should Visit Egypt at Least Once

Egypt may be known for ancient treasures and rich history, but there is more to this nation than you might expect. From surreal waters and golden sand beaches to remarkable architecture and natural therapies, Egypt is worthy of your bucket list. Here are some of the top reasons Egypt should be your next destination.

Keen to visit Egypt but not quite sure where to begin with planning your itinerary? Consider joining Culture Trip’s specially curated 10-day Egypt adventure, led by our local insider .

It’s one of the oldest ancient civilisations in the world

Ancient Egypt is one of the most interesting and oldest civilisations in the world. The Great Pyramids of Giza, the only surviving ancient wonder, along with ancient Egyptian statues and tombs, continue to seize the attention of top archaeologists and, of course, the wider world. To this day, remains of the ancient Egyptian civilization continue to be discovered.

It has the longest river in the world

Ranking as the longest river in the world, the Nile extends around 6,695km (4,160mi) and flows into the Mediterranean. You can visit a number of attractions along its length; the most prominent being Luxor and Aswan, both of which feature on Culture Trip’s exclusive small-group Egypt tour .

You’ll follow the footsteps of Moses

Mount Sinai, also known as Jabal Al Tor or Mount Moses, is considered a holy site and is visited by pilgrims from religions including Islam, Christianity and Judaism. It is where the prophet Moses received the divine commandments from God. It is located in the beautiful Sinai Peninsula, where many come to enjoy mountain climbing and hiking, too.

Paradise beneath the waves

The Red Sea is without question the best place to dive in Egypt. It offers diverse locations for an unforgettable experience including bright corals and colourful, distinctive fish. Egypt offers different diving opportunities including wrecks, walls, drifts, pinnacles, shore dives, day boats and liveaboards.

The beaches are gorgeous

The beaches of Egypt are a dream come true with the country home to internationally renowned beaches guaranteed to delight sunseekers. From natural pools and crystal blue waters to steady beaches as well as surfing spots, they are not to be missed.

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It’s a hotspot for water sports champions

Dahab, Safaga, Hurghada, Ras Sudr and El Gouna are all among the top kite and windsurfing destinations in Egypt. Kite and windsurfing champions from around the world train in these locations due to the perfect weather and steady, safe waters. Not a champion? Egypt has some of the best kite and windsurfing schools as well.

The weather is great all year round

Egypt’s high season never ends. Summer is the perfect time to take a dip and go diving, while winter is the best time to visit the historic desert sites.

Safari desert trips are the best in Egypt

Much of the land here is desert, making it the perfect spot for a new kind of adventure. The best way to discover the region is via a safari trip. Camp to enjoy the full experience.

Horseback riding here is amazing

Wherever you’re going to enjoy your horseback riding experience in Egypt, rest assured you’ll have a view to go with it. Enjoy a ride across the dunes overlooking the lake in Fayoum, pass by the great pyramids or enjoy a romantic ride by the crystal blue beaches in Hurghada.

It’s a dream for architecture and art lovers

Cairo has some of the best Islamic architecture and art on earth. Visit mosques that have been standing for 1,200 years, such as the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan and more. These mosques are a perfect chance for architecture, art and history buffs to soak up some culture.

Egyptian cuisine is delicious

Egyptian food has been influenced by neighbouring countries in the Middle East, resulting in dishes full of flavour. Not only is it delicious, but the food in Egypt shapes the national culture. Egyptians turn to food in times of happiness, need and struggle. It’s the highlight of any occasion.

Egypt’s therapeutic waters and sands

Therapeutic tourism has long been popular in Egypt. The hot springs here are reputed to help cure respiratory diseases, kidney, bone and other skin problems. The mud in many areas is also said to cure skin issues. Sand-burying massages are also popular in Egypt and are said to treat physical injuries.

Egyptian people are a diverse bunch

In Egypt, people have different accents, distinctive food, unique traditions and even different fashions depending on which city they are from. Some cities even have different languages. Just wandering around Egypt is an experience in and of itself.

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Cybergeo: European Journal of Geography

Accueil Rubriques Espace, Société, Territoire 2010 The new territories of tourism in...

The new territories of tourism in Egypt: a local-global frontier?

The transformation of Egypt as a destination for mass tourism has profoundly reshaped the national territory. This article examines how the revolution of Egyptian tourism has led to the development of previously desert areas – the shores of the Red Sea and of the Mediterranean Sea – in an inversion of the previously Nile Valley-centred tourism maps. It shows that those new tourism territories are produced by a combination of processes acting on different geographical scales, from the local to the global. The article examines in particular the combined role of four players: the tourist, the state, the local entrepreneur, and the global tourism industry.

Dans le contexte de la libéralisation économique entamée par l’Egypte dans les années 1990, la transformation du pays en une destination de tourisme de masse a profondément redessiné le territoire national. Cet article examine en effet la façon dont la révolution touristique égyptienne a conduit à développer des zones auparavant désertiques – les rivages de la mer Rouge et de la mer Méditerranée – et conduit de ce fait à une inversion des cartes du tourisme, jusqu’alors centrées sur la vallée du Nil. Il montre que ces nouveaux territoires du tourisme sont le produit de processus relevant d’échelles géographiques différentes, de l’échelle globale à l’échelle locale. Cet article examine en particulier le rôle combiné de quatre acteurs: le touriste, l’Etat, l’entrepreneur local, et l’industrie globalisée du tourisme.

Entrées d’index

Mots-clés :, keywords :, notes de l’auteur.

Article written while holding a Marie Curie Fellowship, funded by the European Commission, at the Middle East Centre, St Antony’s College, Oxford University.

Texte intégral

Introduction.

1 On these aspects, see Hazbun (2004).

1 Political studies and theories of globalisation have often equated globalisation with a process where space and locality are eroded by economic transnational networks and are, to some extent, considered as no longer relevant as an analytical framework – this is the case in particular for the territories defined by national boundaries 1 . On the other hand, many social scientists have emphasized the importance of place, scale, and nation in the process of globalisation, in particular through the analysis of cities in the global economy (SASSEN, 1991, 2006; VELTZ, 1996). Globalisation is here understood as a process which not only engages international scales of action and specific domains of activity (the economy for instance), but also engages the whole range of social interactions on all the different geographic scales (LEVY, 1999).

2 Furthermore, scholars have insisted on the importance of place and territories in the process of globalisation, as well as on their increasing relevance and role in globalisation (SHORT, 2001; SCOTT, 2008). Place and territories offer unique and specific combinations of strategic resources. They are also social and spatial configurations, whose relative position is redefined by globalisation. Space is far from being globalisation’s biggest loser: it is at the same time its product and its engine (LEVY, 1999, p. 338).

3 This essay, which makes use of the theoretical paradigm of global studies, takes the example of tourism in Egypt to argue that globalisation is also a process of territorial creation. Indeed, the Upper Valley of the Nile, the shrine of the archaeological sites, is not Egypt’s first destination any longer: for an overwhelming majority of tourists, the transparent waters of the Red Sea – and, to a lesser extent, of the Mediterranean Sea – offer new temptations, which are advertised and packaged by companies working for the global market. This territorial shift has taken place over less than twenty years, since Egypt’s first tourism destinations were mere deserted beaches at the end of the 1980s. But this territorial creation does not only take place on the local or national scale: it puts Egypt firmly on the global maps of tourism, as part of an emerging global frontier.

4 In the context of the massive growth in the number of tourists and of the activity of tourism from the 1990s onwards, in tune with a process of economic liberalization and opening, this article first demonstrates how the emergence of Egypt on the maps of global tourism has translated into the creation and development of new territories of tourism. It argues that this process leads to a complete inversion of the former maps of tourism in Egypt. Secondly, it analyses the system of actors that supports this territorial inversion, as it exemplifies the local-global nexus at the heart of global processes. This system articulates the tourist, the State, the national tourism industry, and the actors of global tourism – focusing on the hotel sector.

Twenty years of the Revolution of Tourism in Egypt: from the 1990s onwards

5 Egypt has long been visited by foreign travellers. The reputation of Egypt as one of the haut-lieux (landmarks) of world tourism stretches back to the last third of the nineteenth century, when the visit to its archaeological sites became, in the suitcases of Thomas Cook and in the wagons of British rule, part of the Grand Tour for an English gentleman - or gentlewoman.

6 But the magnitude of the changes that have taken place since the end of the twentieth century makes the former figures pale in comparison: Egypt has not only became, in the space of two decades, a world-tourism destination, but it has transformed from an archaeological-focused and selective touristic destination to one of supplier of leisure-orientated mass-tourism.

2 Source : Dehorne, Saffache, Tattar, 2008, p. 3.

3 Source: World Tourism Organisation, 2010.

7 This transformation has to be put into a historical perspective. The growth of international tourism in the world goes back to the mid-nineteenth century: international tourism flows represented 25 millions entries of tourists in 1950, 285 millions in 1980 2 . The trend has accelerated in the last decades: from 457 millions in 1990, they have nearly doubled to reach 919 million in 2008 3 . This does not affect all the regions of the world similarly as tourism flows are highly polarised towards and within a few regions. However, new destinations have emerged, following higher demand coming from developed as well as emerging countries, globalisation of the tourism industry (hotels, tour operators), and cheaper access to air transport.

• 4 The data used by the Ministry of Tourism is based on the computation of the Department of Passports (...)

8 In this context, Egypt displays a remarkable picture (Figure 1). On the shores of the Mediterranean, and in spite of its reputation as a core destination for cultural tourism, until the 1990s only 2 to 3 million tourists at best would visit Egypt each year, or 0.4% of world tourism. Twenty years later, the picture has changed dramatically: the symbolic threshold of 10 million visitors was crossed in 2007, and in 2008 the numbers amounted to 12.8 million 4 . Not only has Egypt asserted its place as a global tourism destination (1.4% of the world share) but between 1990 and 2008, the number of visitors grew by 76%, which is substantially faster than the world average (+ 50%).

Figure 1: Steady growth in the number of visitors (millions per year, 1990-2008)

5 http://www.cbe.org.eg/timeSeries.htm (accessed 12 May 2010)

Source: Time Series, Central Bank of Egypt 5 .

• 6 In addition, there are 272 (20%) floating hotels, mainly located on the Nile River between Luxor an (...)

7 Projects that have applied for the necessary licences to begin construction.

8 Source: The Egyptian Hotel Guide 2008-2009.

9 The boom in the numbers of visitors goes hand in hand with the rapid expansion of the hotel industry (Figure 2). In the early 1990s, tourists were accommodated in a mere 50 000 rooms. After nearly two decades of intense building activity, Egypt could boast more than 1031 hotels, totalling 171 288 rooms (2008) 6 . This trend is unlikely to slow down: in 2008, 521 projects were under construction 7 (among which 41 floating hotels), for 139 611 rooms (among which 2 661 for floating hotels) 8 , nearly a doubling of the 2008 capacity.

• 9 The floating hotels have not been included in this figure, as the numbers are not available for 199 (...)

Figure 2: A decade of hotel construction boom (1997-2008) 9

Source: Author’s own calculations based on The Egyptian Hotel Guide (1997/1998 and 2008/2009).

10 This figure does not include cruise ships

10 The rapid development of Egypt’s hotel industry is first and foremost related to the opening of the sector to private investment, after decades of tight public control. The relative youth of the market suggests a certain immaturity, such as the over-representation of 4 and 5-star hotels by comparison with international averages. Between 1997 and 2008, the share of 4 and 5-star hotels expanded from 11% and 15% of the total number of hotels to 16% and 21%. But this imbalance in favour of upper segment hotels is also the result of the recent arrival in the country of many international hotels that cater mainly for the upper segment of the tourism market. From a few international flagships on the main tourist sites (Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan) until the 1990s, their numbers have dramatically risen to reach nearly 200 in 2008 (198), a 20% share of all Egypt’s or Egyptian hotels 10 . However, 3-star hotels are catching up with the pace, especially in the Sinai and the Red Sea, reflecting the diversification of tourism markets in Egypt and the positioning of the country as an affordable beach holiday destination, especially for European customers.

11 With this formidable activity, gone are the days when a tourist’s standard itinerary would include Cairo, the archaeological sites of Upper Egypt, and perhaps Alexandria. Upper Egypt is still an important destination for international and national tourism and, in the general context of tourism expansion, it has experienced a constant growth of visitors. It has also received substantial investment from the private sector (construction of hotels). Public investment has mainly targeted the extension or upgrading of transport infrastructures (roads, bridges, upgrading and extension of Luxor airport in cooperation with the World Bank) and the beautification of the banks of the Nile, as well as the displacement of populations living on archaeological sites.

12 But Upper Egypt, in relative terms as well as in sound numbers of tourists, of hotel nights, of hotels, of infrastructures, of transportation and investments, is now clearly outnumbered by the newly-built coastal leisure resorts. The new orientation of Egypt towards the mass-tourism industry has fuelled the emergence of completely new tourism territories on its edge, along the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, which has in turn introduced a new vocabulary of tourist landscapes.

Building the Desert Shores: the ‘Inversion’ of Egypt’s Tourism Territories

13 Until the 1990s, the sandy shores of Egypt were left bare to the winds, with the exception of the villas of the Egyptian bourgeoisie in the vicinity of Alexandria, the hotels left by the Israelis after their withdrawal from the Sinai in 1982, a few fishermen villages and scuba-diving spots on the coast of the Red Sea.

14 These new territories have since become Egypt’s first tourist destinations (Figure 3), with the tip of the peninsula of the Sinai and the Red Sea competing for the first place. Cairo maintains a third position as Egypt’s only air transportation hub. Upper Egypt receives 6% only of the tourists and counts for a mere 3% of the total of nights spent by tourists in the hotels of the country.

11 More recent data is not available.

Figure 3: Geographic distribution of tourists and nights spent (2003) 11

Source: Author’s own calculation, based on American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, 2005.

15 The opening of the seashores as a new destination for tourism, domestic or international, has led to the building ex nihilo of hotels, tourist villages and resorts on the Red Sea, the Sinai coast and, to a lesser extent, on the northern Mediterranean Coast (West of Alexandria). Figure 4 shows the construction boom of hotels in Egypt (+109% in ten years), mostly located along the three main seashores of the country. With growth rates above 300%, Sinai and the Red Sea Coast are leading the race.

Figure 4: Comparison of the geographical distribution of hotels (1997-2008)

12 See note 6.

16 These impressive growth rates must be contrasted with the fact that, twenty years ago, the Egyptian shores were mere deserts. However, the deep shift in the spatial distribution of hotels translates in absolute terms as well. In 2008, two thirds of Egypt’s hotels are concentrated in the Sinai Peninsula and along the Red Sea Coast. With a comparatively modest growth rate (+14%), Cairo comes here too in third position. It is followed by the classic destinations of Upper Egypt, Aswan and Luxor that account for 8% of the total of hotels. This modest number has to be accrued with the float of 272 cruise boats, an important number although they only offer 17 308 rooms 12 .

17 Although it displays the third highest growth rate of the decade, the Mediterranean coast appears in sixth position nationally in terms of numbers of hotels (34 hotels, 4% of the national total). Investment in hotels in the Mediterranean has indeed picked up later than in the all year-round sunny Red Sea region. However, the modest position of the North coast in Table 2 does not account for the massive investment that has taken place there since the 1990s. The difference stems from the fact that investments on the Mediterranean coast have mainly translated into a boom in second home real estate projects. In 2010, the coastline from Alexandria to the western city of Marsa Matrouh is almost continuously built. It forms a narrow ribbon of holiday accommodation - mainly gated compounds of villas or small flat buildings spread among gardens and swimming pools - where Egyptian nationals (and a small share of Arab tourists) spend the summer months. In this regard, the recent taking off in hotel investment signals an interest from some investors for developing international tourism on the North coast. However, the pick-up of international tourism on the Mediterranean coast is contingent upon the development of airport capacity. In this regard, the international Mövenpick group has suspended its decision to open a 5-star hotel in al Alamain until the new airport was in operation. The Alamein airport as been built under a B.O.T. scheme, and it operated its first charters flights from United Kingdom in April 2005.

18 The decades of the 1990s and the 2000s have led, in terms of the development of tourism, to an inversion of the territories of tourism in Egypt, to use the analysis offered by Marc Côte (COTE, 1988) (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Dynamics of the touristic space

13 The governorate ( muhafazza ) is the largest administrative unit in Egypt.

14 Source: CAPMAS, Census of the population (1996).

19 Nowadays, the maritime edges of the national territory attract tourists, investments, and direct job opportunities, and this is where the most important share of tourism revenues is generated. This process of inversion is all the more remarkable in that these coastal regions were neither exploited nor valued twenty years ago and that they are still under-populated: in 1996, the Red Sea governorate 13 amounted to 157 315 inhabitants (60 085 in Hurghada, its main city); the population of South Sinai was 53 026 inhabitants (7 419 in Sharm el Sheikh) 14 . Even the employees of the hotels are not settled there: they commute from the Nile Valley for shifts of 8 to12 weeks, with a week back home in the middle. On the maritime edges of the country, those new territories of tourism, which are hyper-specialized in one activity, can be analysed as functioning as mere offshore places.

A New Vocabulary of Forms and Architecture

• 15 These new urban and architectural structures, based on an international vocabulary, are also very m (...)

20 In these new territories, at the local level, a new vocabulary of forms and architecture was introduced 15 , creating three main types of spatial entities, of different structures, shapes, and sizes (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Socio-spatial structure of Tourism places in Egypt: Attempt at typology

Based on EQUIPE MIT, 2002, page 222

The local scale

16 Source: Hotel Guide 2008-2009, op.cit.

21 First type : Large resorts, like Hurghada and Sharm al Sheikh. They are proper agglomerations that combines governorate administrative functions, public services (hospitals) as well as a variety of intermediate services such as branches of banks, transport and tourism companies etc. They are also the main transport hubs of both region: Sharm and Hurghada airports come second and third both in numbers of flights and of passengers. Sharm el Sheikh, whose foundation as a resort dates back to the Israeli occupation of the Sinai, has developed international conferences facilities too, that are very much used by the Egyptian government. The urban fabric of both is made out of a juxtaposition of hotels of all types and size, gated resorts, leisure places, shopping malls and restaurants. Present on the books of all international travel agency, these two resorts attract most of the hotel investments, especially in high-end categories where international brands are most active. Sharm and Hurghada contain the highest number of hotels in Egypt (respectively 182 and 177 hotels in 2008 16 ). The share of 5 and 4-star hotels there is also well above the national average (Table 1): 24% and 32% for Sharm el Sheikh (56% of Sharm’s hotels), 15% and 29% for Hurghada (44% of Hurghada’s hotels).

22 On the North Coast, near al Alamain, the resort of Marina, can, in many respects, be associated with Sharm and Hurghada. It extends over 20 kms of coastline and associates many different types of tourism structures: private compounds (Marina 1, 2 etc.), a golf course, entertainment centres and shopping areas. Since the opening of the private development of Porto Marina in 2005, it even offers a large shopping mall (The Venice Canal mall, featuring canals and gondolieri), a marina for 500 boats and a luxury hotel. However, compared to the Red Sea and Sinai resorts, Marina is less diversified in its services and infrastructures, and it is strongly affected by seasonality: the place is bursting with people in the summer – mainly middle and upper-class Egyptians – but remains empty during the winter months.

23 Second type : Integrated tourist villages, generally gated, or semi-gated, offering on the same spot residential facilities and leisure activities, and generally, direct access to the sea. They combine several hotels, leisure activities and, for the largest, a real estate programme, all managed under the umbrella of one investor or group of investors. The biggest projects, ambitious to become private seaside cities of Egypt matching world-class standards, are el Gouna (north Hurghada); Taba Heights (North of the Gulf of Aqaba, near the Israeli border); and Port-Ghalib (in Marsa Alam, south Red Sea).

• 17 Source: Interview with Hala Kassir, Public relations Manager of el-Gouna, 12 june 2000, Cairo; and (...)

24 The most famous integrated village is the private city of el Gouna , developed by the Egyptian group Orascom Hotels & Development (Orascom Holding), is located 20 kms north of Hurghada. The development stretches along 10 kms of the coastline, and is built over 11 million sq meters. Under many aspects, it could be associated to the first type as it offers hotel facilities (14 hotels), a real estate programme, a private airport, a hospital, a school, a church and a mosque. According to Orascom, el Gouna hosts nowadays about 15 000 permanent residents living in villas and flats (2 500 residential units have been sold so far). High-end leisure offers include an 18-hole Championship Golf Course, two spas, with the (now usual) swimming pools as well as 100 restaurants, bars or eateries 17 .

25 The second biggest integrated village is Taba Heights , which spreads over a surface of 4.5 million sqm and accommodates 4 5-star international hotels and one 4-star Egyptian brand hotel ( Sofitel, Hyatt, Marriott, Intercontinental). Taba Heights displays the same kind of world-class amenities as the two previous projects: a 18-hole international golf course, a marina, swimming pools, spas etc. However, the real estate development that was part of the original project has been scrapped.

26 The third integrated village – and Egypt’s biggest - is Port-Ghalib , located in Marsa Alam, in the southern part of the Red Sea (260 m south of Hurghada). The first stages of the project go back to the beginning of the 2000s, with the first B.O.T. agreement awarded to the Kuwaiti Kharafi group to build and operate Marsa Alam international airport. Port-Ghalib is a private tourism resort project, stretching along 18 kms of coastline, with hotels, a real estate programme, a marina for 1000 boats, 22 restaurants, 65 coffee shops and shops, a casino, a proper city centre with all amenities and services, a 18-hole golf course, and an international conference centre.

27 Along the North Sea Coast, there were 120 active tourist villages in 2006: they are the main feature of this burgeoning new territory of tourism. Following the example of Hacienda or the three Diplomatic Villages , they are mainly private, exclusive compounds commanding separate access to the beach for the residents of the compound - and in some of them for day dwellers against a high entrance fee.

28 Third type : Stand-alone hotels (small scale projects), generally gated and with a swimming pool. They are mostly present in the Sinai and the Red Sea. Sometimes, several hotels of this type, when they are in the same neighbourhood (for instance lying side by side around a bay like Makadi Bay, south of Hurghada), pull together in order to rationalise the provision of certain services and infrastructures, or to gain more weight in negotiations with the Tourism Development Authority, the governorates, or other public authorities.

29 Second and third types are subsets of the first one. They generally have several features in common: they are all gated, or separated from the outside by a more or less symbolic fence; they all have a swimming pool and, when they offer direct access to the beach, the buildings are developed along curvy lines facing the sea; their master plan mixes greenery and residential buildings; the more upmarket integrated tourist villages offer many leisure activities including, for some of them, a golf course or a spa. Their architecture, which is usually described on the promotion leaflets or the websites as a “hybrid” of Mediterranean and international styles, introduces a new kind of kitsch into Egypt (LE GRAND, 1996).

30 These three types (resorts, integrated villages, stand alone hotels) are the result of private investment, whether it be from a single investor, like in most cases of stand-alone hotels and of some of the integrated villages, or from a group of investors, as in most of the cases of the integrated villages and resorts, although public provisions are part of the investment in large resorts (type 1). These private investments benefit from State incentives - mainly low purchase price of the bare ground, tax holidays, and the provision of basic infrastructures.

The “Old Places of Tourism”: The Upper Valley and Cairo

31 The new places of tourism very much differ from the structure of tourism in the old places of tourism. In the Upper Valley, there is an urban environment: tourism did not invent Luxor and Aswan. There, functions and activities of tourism are developed within a limited part of the city, and cohabit within it. These “city-resorts” (Figure 6) mix different economic and social urban functions. The tourism industry plays a central but not exclusive part in the social and spatial economy of these cities, unlike in the new beach resorts. At the regional scale, they are the central nodes of a network of tourism places that stretches from the north of Luxor (Abydos Temple) to the south of Aswan (Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel).

32 The situation of Cairo is markedly different. Spatially, international tourism is confined to some very limited areas of the agglomeration: the Pyramids area, the city centre with the Egyptian museum and the medieval Islamic city. Hotels are mainly to be found in the Pyramids/6 th of October area, the central area of the agglomeration near the Nile River, and the Northeast areas of Heliopolis and Madînat Nasr (business and proximity of the airport). Tourism is only one of the many economic activities of the capital, and it does not affect the overall urban organisation.

The Regional Scale: New Territories of Tourism

33 At the regional scale, one can observe two types of territories of tourism. First, districts that are territories composed of various places and sites connected in networks and polarised by a centre in which tourism plays an important but not exclusive role. These districts of tourism are characteristic of the ‘old’ territories of tourism in Egypt, in Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan) and to a certain extent in Cairo.

34 The second type is represented by the ‘new’ territories of tourism industry and translates into a new type of territorial organisation: nearly continuous conurbations of tourism places (resorts, integrated villages, hotels), exemplified in Egypt along the coastline of the Red Sea, the Sinai Peninsula and the Mediterranean Coast. The conurbation of the Mediterranean Coast is nearly completed whereas in the Sinai and the Red Sea the gaps between built-in sections are numerous but narrowing, as more constructible sites are regularly included onto the map of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA), the governmental agency in charge with the designing of the zones open to tourism investment. In the three main seaside regions, the same relatively simple structure is on display: a narrow ribbon of constructions squeezed between the shore and a parallel main road that gives access to gated stand-alone hotels, tourist villages, or compounds of holiday homes.

35 However, the process of ex nihilo creation of a new type of Riviera is not to be read on a national scale only. In attracting a fraction of global tourism, Egypt’s tourism industry has placed the Red Sea and the Sinai coasts on the global maps of international tourism. The new geography of tourism in Egypt can therefore be read as the product of a system of actors interacting on different scales, illustrating the close weaving of different threads in the local-global nexus.

A Four-Way Game: the Tourist, the State, the Egyptian Entrepreneur, and the Global Tourism Industry

36 The new geography of tourism in Egypt is based on a game with four actors: the tourist, the State, the national tourism industry, and the global industry of tourism.

The Tourist

37 Numerous studies of tourism have analysed, in anthropological, socio-political and in economic terms the unfolding of a ‘civilization of leisure’ and the expansion of mass-global tourism since the Second World War.

38 As for contemporary Egypt, the industry has clearly benefited from the increasing world demand for recreational, leisure and beach tourism. The numbers of foreign arrivals have jumped over the last twenty years. The bulk of the international demand originates from the EU (50%), the Middle East, and Russia (11%, nearly one million tourist entries in 2006) (Figure 7).

18 More recent data from the Ministry of Tourism is not available.

Figure 7: Origin of tourists by main geographic regions (2006) 18

Source: Author’s own calculations based on Tourism in Figures 2006 , Ministry of Tourism, Egypt.

39 The European and the Russian demand for beach holidays has been efficiently channelled by the global industry of tour and charter companies into one- or two-week packages that fit the four- to five-week paid holidays that are the rule in most industrial countries. Being close to Europe (4 to 5 hours by plane), with a good sun-rate all year-round, the Red Sea and the Sinai shores have come to be a relatively cheap and easily accessible new destination (Equipe MIT, 2002) .

40 Indeed, the growth of Russian tourism in Egypt (+ 161% visitors between 2002 and 2006) reflects a cultural and socio-economic turn witnessed in many former socialist countries since the 2000s. In 2010, the Russian Federation has even become the first single-country of origin of tourists, a shift that is reflected in the spread of the Cyrillic alphabet in the hotels of the Red Sea and Sinai. However, the boom of Russian tourism is equally part of a major transformation of the pattern of Egypt’s tourism, with an important diversification of the origin of its tourists, as exemplified by the equally massive growth of the UK’s share of tourists in the 2000s (+ 189% between 2002 and 2006). Russians, Britons and Germans form the top league of the visitors entering Egypt each year (more than a million respectively) and aim mainly at its sunny shores. This diversification in the origin of tourists relies heavily on the building of a new offer of affordable and quickly accessible seaside leisure for European tourism, alongside the traditional archaeological tour.

41 However, the diversification of Egypt’s tourism offer reverberates on other clienteles as well, as is reflected in Figure 8, which is based on hotel occupancy figures in the five main touristic regions (Cairo, Alexandria, Red Sea, Sinai, Upper Egypt). The shift towards the new territories of tourism appears clearly – although differently - in each group of tourists (from Egypt, Arab countries, Americas, Europe, Asia and Pacific countries), a trend that has amplified over the 2000s.

Figure 8: Origin of tourists by main tourism destination (2003): The rise of seaside destinations in Egypt (% of nights spent in hotels)

Source: Author’s own calculations, based on American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, 2005.

42 Arab visitors from the Peninsula, with an important purchasing power, have been coming to Egypt in larger numbers, among which the Saudis come first (32% of visitors from the Middle East). It is indeed one of the side effects of the terrorist attacks of 09/11/2001 in New York, which have deterred a lot of Arab nationals from travelling to the USA or to Europe. But it is equally the result of the larger tourism offer available in the country. Indeed, Arabs, who used to spend the summer months in Cairo, possibly in Alexandria, include more and more beach holidays in their Egyptian tour. They buy or rent flats and villas in the Gulf of Suez or in the tourist compounds of the North Coast, but they also descend upon the new high-end hotels that have burgeoned during the last two decades in the main resorts of the Red Sea.

19 American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, 2005.

43 Domestic tourism in the new territories of tourism has also increased, although it is less visible in the sources. Egyptian tourists are indeed underrepresented in most data, which are based on international entries to the country. They are underrepresented in hotels too, as they are more likely to be accommodated by families or friends when they travel in the country, or to descend upon private residencies, either let or owned. The development of the North coast reflects the growth in holiday homes demand and it is fuelled mostly by Egyptian tourism. However, even when one is to look at hotel occupancy, national tourists came as the second tourist group according to one study published in 2005 19 . Figure 3, based on this study, indicates that Egyptians too have embraced new habits of holidaying in hotels in new destinations: more than 60% of the total of nights spent by Egyptians in hotels in Egypt take place in the Red Sea and Sinai.

44 The development of the industry of tourism and of the shores of Egypt is to be linked to decisive steps taken by the government from the mid-1980s through the 1990s.

45 First, the opening of the coastal areas to civil projects and private investors in the mid-1980s has been paramount. Previously, the coastal areas were shut as they were the domain (and the property) of the army. Sinai, especially, was considered as a strategic military ‘glacis’ for the protection of the Suez Canal and, further west, of the Nile Valley. After the signature of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Agreement of Camp David (1979) and the withdrawal of the Israeli army (1983), the reconversion of Sinai into a tourist destination could start, based on the tourism infrastructures left by the Israelis.

46 Secondly, at the end of the 1980s, the government labelled the coastal governorates “priority zones for demographic development”. The objective was to diversify the economy of regions that were until then solely exploited for their mineral resources and their proximity to the off-shore oil-fields of the Gulf of Suez. The point was also to master the demographic growth and to redirect part of Egypt’s population towards those empty areas (SANMARTIN, SEGUIN, 1995). The project soon collapsed, not least because, with the policy of economic liberalisation launched at the beginning of the 1990s, it rapidly became clear that the development of tourism would bring in more revenues. As early as the mid-1980s, the turn in favour of tourism had been taken, but with neither strategic vision, implementation instruments nor macro-economic domestic environment to support this strategic turn. The Minister for Tourism of the time, Fuad Sultan, set the objective and the geographical frame of the future growth: a 40% increase in hotel capacity in ten years along the Mediterranean coast (from Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh) and the coasts of Sinai and the Red Sea.

47 The third decisive step was the near-complete withdrawal of the State from direct involvement in the sector of tourism. Most of its assets were sold through privatization in the 1990s. Nowadays, it only retains full ownership of a few “jewels” in tourism landmark sites (famous hotels like the former Nile Hilton in Cairo, the Winter Palace in Luxor and the Old Cataract in Aswan) through its holding EGOTH (Egyptian General Organisation for Tourism and Hotels). It is also present, as a majority or minority shareholder in joint-ventures, in a small number of tourism projects, mainly hotels that are part of its legacy (the Swiss Inn Hotel in Luxor for instance). Public ownership of (a few) tourism projects is also held through public agencies, public banks, ministries or governorates: The Mercure Luxor Hotel in Luxor is the property of Misr Travel, the national travel company; the Grand Seas resort Hostmark Hotel in Hurghada, operated by Hostmark Hotels & Resorts, is the property of the Ministry of Interior; the Beach Albatros Sharm hotel, managed by the Pick Albatros Management Group, is the property of the South Sinai Governorate.

48 However, the State shifted to the role of planner, in designing priority areas and delivering building permits through the TDA, the public agency set up in 1991. It also undertook to develop transportation infrastructures, especially improving access to the new seashore sites: construction of roads and of airports, the latter being financed through international aid or loans, private investments (Marsa Alam airport, Red Sea coast, south Hurghada), or B.O.T. agreements (Bûrg al-Arab airport, Mediterranean coast). Airlines rules have been relaxed, allowing charter services to operate more freely and directly to the coastal areas (Open Sky policy) – although not to Cairo.

49 Finally, tourism is one of Egypt’s economic sectors that has clearly benefited from the different reforms of economic liberalisation since the 1990s. One of the most important ones, as far as private investment is concerned, is Law 8/1997 ( Investment Guarantees and Incentives law adopted in 1997 ) , which unified and upgraded the incentives to private investment, be it national or international (Gray, 1998; Hazbun, 2004; Steiner, 2006). It was followed in 2005 by Law 8/2005, aiming at upgrading it in substituting one of its core dispositions (10 years of tax holidays) with a slashed-tax rate of 20%.

20 Source: WTTO Egypt report, 2010.

• 21 Yet, these figures can only be indicative: as demonstrated in a recent study (MASSOUD, SAKR &SAKR, (...)

50 As a result, over the last two decades, tourism has become a key sector of Egypt’s “new” economy. At the macro economic level, according to official figures, the direct economic impact of the tourism industry jumped from $ 315 million in 1985 to nearly $14 billion in 2010 and 13% of the GDP ($ 26,7 bn if one is to take into account the indirect impacts) 20 , which amounts to the first foreign currency source of the country 21 .

The Egyptian Investor

22 The same precaution has to be used with these figures as with the macro-economic ones cited above.

51 The Egyptian private sector started to invest in the tourism industry as soon as the first signs of a political and economic favourable shift were perceivable, and it has been its main player ever since. Official figures 22 indicate that a total of 3383 private tourism establishments were set up from 1970 to 2007, accounting for $ 17.8 billion in capital. This represents the second largest domain of investment in the service sector over the period. 80% of this investment is under nominal Egyptian ownership. However, foreign capital is often present in those projects through joint-venture arrangements.

23 American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, 2008, pages 38 and 39.

52 Two main types of establishments can be distinguished: first, the companies constructing or owning the hotels/villages; second, the companies managing them – one company possibly doing both. However, in Egypt, the main share of private investment has gone to the construction of hotels and tourist villages; hotel management activities come only second 23 .

• 24 Source: Interview with J.-M. Kabalan, CEO and owner of Red Sea Oasis and Presidential Cruise groups (...)

53 Egyptian investors from all different walks of business can be found. Most of the tourism projects are small to medium scale projects, ranging from stand-alone hotels to groups owning a portfolio of different assets (hotels and/or cruises) located in different areas, often run by the same management and under the same brand. Stand-alone hotels are usually owned and managed by the same group, mainly tour operators that wish to provide for their clientele, groups of small investors pulling together, or family groups with one or few assets. It is for instance the case of the Red Sea Oasis group that owns the Fort Arabesque Hotel , located in Makady Bay (south of Hurghada) whose clientele is mainly generated by agreements with tourism agencies in Italy, Germany and the U.K. The group owns as well two floating hotels cruising on the Nile River ( Presidential Cruise group ) 24 .

54 After the flurry of projects of the 1990s, medium-size groups seem to emerge as a central feature of Egypt’s domestic hospitality industry. These groups tend to specialize in one activity. It is for instance the case of the Sunrise Resorts & Cruise group that operates a total of 9 hotels located in the Sharm el-Sheihk area (5) and the Hurghada area (4) (one being located in Makady Bay alongside Fort Arabesque ) and 4 floating hotels based in Luxor under the Sunrise Resort brand. However, none of these hotels and cruise boats belongs to the Sunrise group, but each to a different owner. On the other hand, companies have specialised in the ownership of hotels.

• 25 Source: OHD Website: http://www.orascomdh.com/en/business-segments/hotels.html (accessed 22 May 201 (...)

55 However, major Egyptian groups, holdings with vast and diversified portfolios of activities, dominate the tourism industry sector though four main types of operations. Firstly, they launch single projects, as exemplified by el-Gouna , Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD) flagship project. OHD is one of the groups of the family-owned Orascom Holding (Sawiris family), believed to be Egypt’s most powerful group and whose operations extend to many strategic activities, from tourism management and ownership to real estate, construction, telecommunications and IT. Secondly, big players sometimes pull together under the umbrella of large developments such as Taba Heights , near the Israeli border, in the Gulf of Aqaba. When it was launched in 1990, Taba Heights was a project aiming at the development of this borderland region and entailed an important participation of the State through public banks and public insurance companies. The financing of the project then evolved: the public participation is now small and the project is headed by a consortium of private investors in which a number of Egypt’s big players are present, like the main investor, OHD, which holds a 44% share of Taba Heights . Thirdly, big Egyptian real estate groups are mainly active as owners. Finally, they can take shares in other groups’ projects. The example of OHD is relevant in all those activities: in addition to el Gouna , Tala Bay Aqaba in Jordan, and Taba Heights , the group’s hotel portfolio includes 31 hotels, managed under different brands (many of them international, such as Hyatt Regency, Mövenpick, Sheraton, Marriot, Club Méditerranée, Sofitel, Intercontinental) and offers Egypt’s largest pool of rooms (6 559) 25 . In addition, OHD directly operates some of el Gouna ’s hotels, and since 2007, it has been operating there the international brand Steigenberger, through a licence agreement.

The Global Industry

56 Alongside Egyptian investors, the global tourism industry has also stepped into Egypt’s booming market, and it helps to shape some of its current features.

26 Source: Tourism sector Developments in Egypt , March 2008, American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.

57 Between 1970 and 2007, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) amounted to a rough 20% of the overall investments in tourism 26 . However, it is mostly since the end of the 1990s that FDI in tourism have been on the rise. The largest share of FDI is to be found in the construction and infrastructure sectors. This foreign capital, mainly invested through joint-venture schemes with Egyptian partners, is paramount to the success of many medium-range projects. However, the largest share of FDIs in the 2000s has been channelled into large-scale projects financed, planned and operated by some of the Gulf’s most powerful residential and commercial real estate groups – one of many activities for some of them. These investments reflect the geographic diversification strategy chosen by many Gulf groups in the 2000s in order to develop their business, secure a dominant position in the emerging (and underdeveloped) real estate, tourism and commercial markets mainly in the Middle East and North Africa, and to reinvest a share of the booming oil revenues of the time.

• 27 Kharafi group has many other activities, including food processing (the Americana company), and it (...)

58 In Egypt, the two main Arab investors are the Kuwaiti group Kharafi 27 and the UAE group Emaar. The Gulf Kharafi develops Egypt’s largest private resort (17 million sqm) Port-Ghalib in Marsa Alam. In the mid-2000s, the total investment planned amounted $ 1.2 bn, which is the largest private investment in a single commercial project ever in Egypt. Emaar is a powerful Dubai-developer group that is expanding its activity throughout the Middle East and North Africa. It has been present in Egypt since the 2000s, developing major private cities on the edges of Cairo. Since 2007, Emaar has taken full property of Emaar Misr, the joint venture company it had first set up with Egyptian partners. Emaar Misr’s next project, Marassi, moves the focus of the company from urban dwellings to tourism: Marassi is advertised as a fully integrated private resort of 6.25 millions sqm on the shores of the North Mediterranean coast.

• 28 Source: Author’s own calculations based on different editions of The Egyptian Hotel Guide (1997/199 (...)
• 29 Le Méridien, Sheraton, Hilton, Semiramis, Accor, Mövenpick, Four Seasons, Oberoi, Club Méditerranée (...)

59 The internationalisation of Egypt’s tourism landscape is also made very visible through the growing presence of the international brands of hotels – more visible although capital-intensive. From the few international hotels clustered in Cairo and Upper Egypt in 1990, the numbers jumped to 68 in the first half of the 2000s 28 and to 169 in 2008 (Figure 9). In 2008, they totalled 42 different brands (although some brands belong to the same group, like Le Méridien and Sheraton to the Starwood Group), to be compared to a mere 11 29 less than ten years before.

Figure 9: The main international hotels brands in Egypt (2008)

Source : Author’s own calculations based on The Egyptian Hotel Guide 2008/2009.

60 The 35 new brands are to be separated into two groups: the brands that operate a relatively small number of hotels (from 1 to 4) and the “big players”, among which the Jaz Group (36 hotels divided between four brands: Steingenberger, Jaz Resorts, Sol Y Mar, Prima Life), the Accor group (19 hotels divided among two brands, Novotel and Sofitel), or Hilton (18 hotels).

• 30 However, after 50 years, this is about to change as the 50-year lease Hilton had contracted with Mi (...)

61 All of the ‘historical’ brands (present since at least the 1980s) still operate hotels. They remain implemented in Cairo and Upper Egypt, where some hotels have acquired an urban landmark image, like the Nile Hilton on Tahrir Square, next to the Egyptian Museum 30 . But most of the recent expansion of these historical brands has taken place in the new territories of tourism: in the Red Sea and in South Sinai. It is in these two new territories of tourism as well that most of the global brands of the second half of the 2000s have opened units. Many of them completely neglect the Nile Valley in their implementation strategy.

62 This shift towards the Red Sea and the Sinai has fuelled the hotel boom illustrated in Figure 4, and is clearly demonstrated in Figure 10:

Figure 10: Geographic repartition of the main international hotels in Egypt (2008)

Source: Author’s own calculations based on The Egyptian Hotel Guide 2008 .

• 31 The Accor Group (France) has for instance 5 hotels in Cairo for both tourism and business clients, (...)

63 Two types of strategies are here at play. First, the strategy of global brands, part of powerful groups with global outreach like Accor, Hilton, Sheraton, Intercontinental, that aim at securing a world-wide market made of a mixed clientele of business and leisure world-wide. Theses brands are most exclusively luxury brands (5 and 4-Stars). In Egypt, their hotels are both on the tourism map of “old” and “new” territories and on the economic map (Cairo mainly, then Alexandria, then less serviced areas 31 ).

64 The second strategy is the one of hotel brands that specialise in seaside-oriented leisure tourism, and therefore focus generally on markets that are close geographically (in Egypt’s case, first Europe, then the Middle East) and economically diverse. In this sense, those brands can be labelled as more regional than global. This is particularly well-illustrated by the four brands operated by the Jaz Group that has recently entered Egypt’s tourism market: 53% of its 36 hotels are located in the Red Sea and 31% in the South Sinai, clearly aiming at servicing Europe’s demand for seaside holidays and catering for different segments of clienteles (from 3-star to 5-star hotels). Interestingly, aside from Cairo (one hotel) and Upper Egypt (two hotels), the Jaz brands are pioneers in the still underdeveloped hotel market of the North Coast (they have opened a Jaz Resort Hotel in Marsa Matrouh) and they are the first to have set an hotel in two of the western desert oases which until now have been the preserve of backpack-type tourists. This may well become one of the next frontiers for the global thirst for adventure or eco-tourism in the twenty-first century.

65 Whatever the business strategy, Egypt offers two main attractions for international/global brands: first, the country is an excellent destination for the growing demand for affordable and easily accessible recreational seaside/sunny tourism, especially from European clienteles. Secondly, for global brands especially, being present in Egypt adds an important asset to their strategy of global presence: the way to secure their activity is indeed to have an ubiquitous implementation policy, so that they can cater for their clients wherever they are in the world. In that sense, for such world players as international hotel groups, having a foothold in all the important tourist destinations worldwide is part of a long-term strategy to secure a market share of the global market as a whole.

32 The Accor Group is one of the rare exceptions, as it owns as well several of its Egyptian hotels.

66 In order to develop these worldwide networks, most of the international brands (Hilton, Sheraton etc.) are run through management contracts, when the ownership of the building remains in other (generally domestic) hands. The hotel group can therefore focus on the delivery of a service rather than on the ownership of a portfolio of properties. This operating mode holds for Egypt to 32 .

67 However, the company that manages an international brand in a country is not necessarily its mother company. Indeed, nowadays an important number of brands are operated under franchise agreements: the hotels of the brand are run by another management company in exchange for an annual fee paid to the mother company. These ‘second-level’ companies hold the licence of exploitation of the brand for one or several countries. In the Middle East, powerful Gulf groups generally hold regional licences (covering several countries). It is for instance the case with the Four Seasons Hotels regional licence, which is the property of Kingdom Hotels Investments (KHI), a Saudi group that belongs to Prince Talal Ibn Talal; thus KHI operates the four hotels of the Four Seasons brand in Egypt.

68 Finally, globalisation of the business strategies can lead to even more complex organisations when it comes to the diffusion of international brands. One of Egypt’s most powerful leisure groups of the beginning of the 2010s, Travco, a former tour operator and travel agency company that has diversified its portfolio since the liberalization of the tourism sector, hold the licence of the 36 Jaz Group hotels. Moreover, it acquired in 2009 the full ownership of the Germany-based Steingenberger Group (one of the 4 brands of the Jaz Group), a move that allows Travco to expand its activity not only in Egypt but also on the European market as well.

Conclusion: The Global-Local Nexus and the Construction of Maps

69 The example of Egypt’s new geography of tourism illustrates how territorial creation may be triggered by globalisation. On the one hand, Egypt offers a good case study to remind us that globalisation is always very much embedded in a given political economy. On the other hand, Egypt’s emergence as a global destination is part of a process that leads to a deeper level of interactions and interdependence at the world level. In this sense, Egypt is now part of the globalisation frontier.

70 Indeed, Egypt’s new territories of tourism, which are physically detached from “main” Egypt (the Nile Valley) and which sell a glamorous image in conformity with transnational archetypes (architecture, leisure, consumption and lifestyle), could be seen as “extra-territorial” – a successful shop-window for the world. But how do they relate to Egypt’s economic and territorial development?

71 One question lies in the long-term sustainability of the exploitation of tourism in the coastal regions. First, those territories are, under many respects, “off-shore”: their growth relies on “outside” players (the tourist, the investor, the global industry, the State) that can be threatened by unfavourable international, regional or national conjuncture. Their success does not even translate into a diversified and long term development: they are highly specialized territories dependent on ‘core’ Egypt for their work force, goods and basic resources (water, electricity, food etc.). Second, the development of the seaside is correlated to a rapid degradation of the environment. The risk of over-building is present and the ongoing destruction of the fragile marine ecosystem of the Red Sea could lead in the long run to the disaffection of the tourists.

• 33 A smaller share goes back to the financial and economic networks of the world economy and, of cours (...)
• 34 The close knitting of private and public interest reflected by the composition of the Supreme Counc (...)

72 A second question relates to Egypt’s political economy itself. The ever-growing revenues of tourism since the 1990s have been partly channelled into a system that has renewed the ways and means of relationships of patronage, rents and privileges, between the State and the new private sector 33 . Under the cover of free-market policies, the interpenetration of the interests of the political and economic spheres has even been described as “crony capitalism” (HENRY, SPRINGBORG, 2001, 134-167). The new territories of tourism can be seen as the spatial transcription of this situation. First, they are the jewels in the crown that remain under close supervision from the State, through its regulatory and planning role. Second, the main shares of the benefits they generate go back to the economic and political central nodes of Egypt. One can therefore question the efficiency of the current development of tourism as a genuine instrument for encompassing economic development. Indeed, the trickling down of the wealth generated by tourism through the expansion of a new labour force, and its effect on related industries (industry of construction or of furniture etc.), is still limited. This is in part due to the de facto control of the State, which decides who is allowed to invest in the new Eldorado -s of tourism, thanks to its planning role. It can also be related to the fact that the new tourism economy is dominated by a handful of powerful private actors 34 . In that sense, the new territories of tourism sustains what Christian Steiner (2006) describes as a “semi-rentier” State.

73 If one is to develop further these two sets of questions, the emergence and the rapid growth of the new territories of tourism can be analysed as an ongoing privatisation of the Egyptian seaside. Borrowing Saskia Sassen’s analysis of territoriality (SASSEN, 2006), Egypt’s new territories of tourism may be said to be part of a multi-level logic that ‘de-frames’ Egypt’s seaside from its national context and ‘re-frames’ it into other contexts, in this case into the maps of global ‘consumables’. This process benefits three main actors: first, the global tourist, in whose name the commodification process of the seaside is led; second, the global industry, which needs to expend its maps in order to sustain its activity worldwide; third, the new tycoons, the big private groups of the likes of the Orascom Holding that are the clear winners of Egypt’s recent economic liberalization process. The juxtaposition of different scales of action, logics and actors, amounts to a territorial system of exclusive places servicing the construction of new local and global tourism maps.

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4 The data used by the Ministry of Tourism is based on the computation of the Department of Passports, Emigration and Nationality, part of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Egypt. These figures relate to all foreign arrivals into the country, regardless of whether people enter the country on tourism grounds or for other purposes (work, refugees, same day visitors etc.). This explains the distortion of some figures (for instance, the important growth of Palestinian ‘tourism’ in Egypt in the 2000s) or the lack of acknowledgement of the important number of Egyptian domestic tourism.

6 In addition, there are 272 (20%) floating hotels, mainly located on the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan. However big this number is, it represents only 17 308 rooms, which is 9% of Egypt’s total capacity.

9 The floating hotels have not been included in this figure, as the numbers are not available for 1998.

15 These new urban and architectural structures, based on an international vocabulary, are also very much present in the middle and upper new residential suburbs of Cairo, where a market for residence in private compounds has been developing since the late 1990s at a very rapid pace (VIGNAL, 2003, 2010).

17 Source: Interview with Hala Kassir, Public relations Manager of el-Gouna, 12 june 2000, Cairo; and website: http://www.elgouna.com (accessed 30 April 2010)

21 Yet, these figures can only be indicative: as demonstrated in a recent study (MASSOUD, SAKR &SAKR, 2009), neither the official figures, nor the evaluation of the impact of this macro-economic success story on economic development (with a specific focus on indirect economic effects and the labour market) can be taken at face value, as the data used is very often flawed.

24 Source: Interview with J.-M. Kabalan, CEO and owner of Red Sea Oasis and Presidential Cruise groups, 3 January 2010, Cairo.

25 Source: OHD Website: http://www.orascomdh.com/en/business-segments/hotels.html (accessed 22 May 2010).

27 Kharafi group has many other activities, including food processing (the Americana company), and it is active in a total of 25 countries.

28 Source: Author’s own calculations based on different editions of The Egyptian Hotel Guide (1997/1998, 2004-2005) .

29 Le Méridien, Sheraton, Hilton, Semiramis, Accor, Mövenpick, Four Seasons, Oberoi, Club Méditerranée, Marriott, Intercontinental.

30 However, after 50 years, this is about to change as the 50-year lease Hilton had contracted with Misr Hotels, the public company owner of the building, expired in 2009. The hotel is due to reopen under the Fairmont Brand.

31 The Accor Group (France) has for instance 5 hotels in Cairo for both tourism and business clients, 2 hotels in Alexandria mainly for business clients, as well as the one (recently opened) in Minia (the first international hotel in a region, between Cairo and Upper Egypt, that has been characterised by troubles since the 1990s and that is closed to tourism – but the region has a business community) or the one in Ismaileyya (Suez Canal). Tourism demand is accomodated too, with 4 hotels in Upper Egypt (among which the historical « jewels » of the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor), 4 hotels in South Sinai, 1 hotel in the Red Sea.

33 A smaller share goes back to the financial and economic networks of the world economy and, of course, many direct and indirect revenues trickle down into the Egyptian society through tourism-related industries, outsourcing and labour.

34 The close knitting of private and public interest reflected by the composition of the Supreme Council for Tourism that pilots the strategy of the Ministry of Tourism, and where all the big names of the sector have secured a seat, including Mr. Hamed El Chiaty, founder and CEO of Travco, elected in 2009.

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Leïla Vignal , « The new territories of tourism in Egypt: a local-global frontier? », Cybergeo: European Journal of Geography [En ligne], Espace, Société, Territoire, document 509, mis en ligne le 29 octobre 2010, consulté le 03 septembre 2024. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/cybergeo/23324 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/cybergeo.23324

Leïla Vignal

Maître de conférences en Géographie. Chaire d’excellence “Métropolisation et intégration européenne”, Université de Rennes-2/ESO-Rennes, France [email protected]

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Le texte seul est utilisable sous licence CC BY 4.0 . Les autres éléments (illustrations, fichiers annexes importés) sont « Tous droits réservés », sauf mention contraire.

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