Over 9m European Tourists Expected in Egypt by 2022

Arrivals from Europe to Egypt are expected to increase to 9.1 million tourists in 2022, up from 6.2 million in 2018, being the largest contributor on a regional basis, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre during April 28 – May 1.

The data, from Colliers International, also revealed that arrivals from the Middle East to Egypt will actually witness the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) at 11 percent.

“Over the last 12 months, Egypt’s tourism industry has witnessed healthy and steady growth, with arrivals up 14.5 percent from 8.3 million in 2017 to 9.5 million in 2018,” Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said.

Egypt has a diverse range of source markets – decreasing the risk of being over-reliant on one specific market. Germany, Russia, the UK and Italy are Egypt’s top four source markets, with the first and last in top gear – both growing 29 percent in 2018 – and showing the highest CAGR growth of 11 percent.

Growth fueled by charter airlines

According to Curtis, growth has been fuelled by the cheaper Egyptian Pound and government incentives for charter airlines operating international flights.

The UK, which recorded just a 4% increase in arrivals between 2017 and 2018, has traditionally been a long-standing major source market for the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh. However, an ongoing ban on direct flights between the two destinations has stifled visitor numbers.

“It is hoped the recent resumption of Serbian flights to Sharm El Sheikh after a six-year absence and the introduction of Turkish Airlines’ daily flight from Moscow to the Red Sea via Istanbul, will kick-start direct flights between the UK and Egypt, and of course Russia and Egypt,” Curtis said.

Egypt tourism capital investment is estimated to reach US$ 4.2billion (EGP 75bn) in 2019, up 25 percent on 2018, as the country strives to keep pace with an ongoing leisure travel boom and GDP growth.

Egypt at ATM 2019

This year’s ATM is witnessing growth from Egypt with the total number of attendees from the country increasing 16 percent year-on-year.

Taking advantage of this resurgence in tourists are some of Egypt’s most prominent tourism companies including Dana Tours, Nicolas Tours and Standard Tours who will exhibit at ATM 2019 – and of course the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board who will also have a major presence.

ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2018 event, showcasing the largest exhibition in the history of the show, with hotels comprising 20 percent of the floor area.

Brand new for this year’s show will be the launch of Arabian Travel Week, an umbrella brand comprising four co-located shows including ATM 2019, ILTM Arabia, CONNECT Middle East, India & Africa – a new route development forum and new consumer-led event ATM Holiday Shopper.

Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a communication sponsor of the Arabian Travel Market 2019.