Egypt aims to attract 100 million tourists, including more visitors from China
Egypt is intensifying efforts to welcome more Chinese travelers as part of its ambition to increase annual tourist arrivals from the current 19 million to 100 million. The country hopes to boost foreign currency earnings through tourism and support its developing economy.
For Chinese tourists exploring Egypt's ancient temples and historical monuments, the country's rich history and culture offer a memorable experience.
"We visited the Pyramids, which are magnificent, impressive and rich in history. We also visited the museums, which are very fascinating. This is a place with profound history and culture. I like Egypt very much and wanted to experience the local culture and customs," said Zhan, a Chinese tourist. In 2025, Egypt's tourism revenue reached 16.7 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for 3.7 percent of the country's GDP.
Official data shows that approximately 350,000 Chinese tourists visited Egypt in 2025. Although most visitors come from Europe and the Arab region, the Egyptian government has recently introduced incentives to attract more travelers from China.
"The Egyptian visa now could be obtained from any port of entry and this is a big facility enabling any tourist to jump on the flight and come and get his experience. Also, the packages are quite affordable in return to what the tourist is getting, in return for the experience," said Ghada Shalaby, former Egyptian vice minister of tourism.
Tourism services are also improving. Local tour guides say language support has expanded as major universities establish dedicated Chinese-language learning centers, making travel more convenient for Chinese visitors.
"The number of Egyptians who can speak Chinese here has increased significantly because multiple language centers have opened. In the past, there were few centers, including programs at Aswan University, Ain Shams University, and Cairo University. These specialized centers make traveling much more convenient for Chinese tourists," said Ayman Mahmoud, a local tour guide.
However, Mahmoud noted that promoting Egypt to Chinese travelers remains a challenge, particularly through social media platforms, which increasingly influence travel decisions.
"For instance, there might be a lack of effective advertising. The market demand in Egypt is strong, but Chinese travelers rely increasingly on social media," Mahmoud said.
According to CCTV+, Egypt is seeking to strengthen its position in the Chinese tourism market through more accessible visa procedures, improved language services and more effective promotion. These efforts aim to attract additional visitors, increase tourism revenue and help the country move toward its long-term tourism targets.
