Egypt continues to see growth in its tourism sector in 2026, despite the complex regional geopolitical situation. Following more than 19 million international visitors in 2025, the country has recorded a 16% increase in arrivals during the first quarter of 2026. The French market is a key contributor, with a 22% rise in French visitors between January and May 2026, as reported by Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s minister of Tourism and Antiquities. However, authorities are monitoring the impact of rising air transport costs, driven by higher kerosene prices and regional tensions, which could affect long-term travel choices. To support air traffic, Egypt has introduced measures such as reduced airport charges and incentives for charter flights. For the winter season of 2026/2027, air connectivity between France and Egypt is expanding with new low-cost options. Transavia will launch direct flights from Bordeaux to Cairo’s airport starting October 25, operating weekly on Sundays, and from Nantes on October 28, on Wednesdays. EasyJet will connect Paris-CDG to the international Sphinx Airport near the Giza plateau, beginning September 2, with additional services from Nice starting October 27. These new routes join existing links provided by Air France, EgyptAir, and Transavia, offering more options from regional airports. Egypt offers a range of travel experiences, from all-inclusive beach holidays in places like Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El-Sheikh to customized itineraries that combine historical sites with Red Sea adventures. Travelers can choose packages that include flights, transfers, hotel stays, and all-inclusive services for those seeking relaxation and water sports. For those interested in both heritage and the sea, trips can combine visits to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and a Nile cruise with time by the Red Sea. These options are available through generalist and specialist tour operators, as well as local agencies. A local French-speaking agency, Terres Égyptiennes byNativ, based in Cairo, offers tailored travel experiences. It provides customized itineraries, Nile and Lake Nasser cruises, and stays that combine historical sites with beach destinations. The agency handles accommodations, transportation, activities, and guide services, adapting programs to individual preferences and budgets. It includes stops in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Nubia, and El Quseir. This mix of structured tours and authentic experiences helps Egypt appeal to a wide range of travelers, from families and couples to culture enthusiasts and divers. Accor is expanding its presence in Egypt with several new projects in 2026, particularly in Cairo’s emerging urban areas. The company has signed agreements with Margins Developments for a Novotel and Novotel residences in the Lusail Residence project in New Cairo. The project includes a 120-room hotel and over 450 branded residences. Since the start of the year, Accor has announced more than 1,300 additional hotel rooms in Egypt, including the introduction of Pullman in the New Administrative Capital and two new brands, ibis Styles and Adagio Original, in Port-Said. Accor currently operates 42 hotels and residences in Egypt, with 22 projects under development for an additional 7,000 rooms. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), situated near the pyramids of Giza, is one of Egypt’s major tourist attractions. Officially opened on November 1, 2025, it has already welcomed over 6.5 million visitors. This facility enhances Cairo and Giza’s appeal, complementing other cultural sites like the pyramids, the Cairo Museum, Luxor and Karnak temples, and the Valley of the Kings. The museum is expected to encourage longer stays in the capital, offering a broader range of experiences that include heritage, dining, and excursions to other regions of the country. Improving transport infrastructure is a key part of Egypt’s tourism strategy. The country is constructing a high-speed rail network, with the first 660-kilometer line connecting Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea to Alexandria, New Alamein, and Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean. The project will serve the New Administrative Capital and link major urban centers, economic hubs, and tourist areas. While tests are being conducted on parts of the network, long-term plans include extending the line to the Nile Valley and the Red Sea. This could support itineraries that combine Cairo, the Mediterranean, Luxor, Aswan, and beach resorts, though air and road connections will remain crucial for short-term travel. Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh continue to be central to Egypt’s beach tourism, offering attractions like the Red Sea’s underwater landscapes and extensive hotel options. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean coast is also developing, with areas like New Alamein, Sidi Abdel Rahman, Ras El-Hekma, and Marsa Matrouh gaining attention. The high-speed rail project should enhance connectivity between these areas and Cairo, supporting Egypt’s broader goal of sustainable tourism growth. The country’s strategy focuses on increasing international visitation, developing new cultural facilities, expanding rail networks, and offering a variety of travel options. The challenge lies in transforming this momentum into long-term, sustainable growth while maintaining competitiveness amid geopolitical uncertainties and rising air travel costs.