Thursday 05 March 2026 – 04:35 PM
Sherif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, held a series of professional meetings with the leaders of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTM), the Association of German Tourism Companies (DRV), and the Association of German Travel Offices and Agencies (RTK), as part of its participation in the ITB Berlin 2026 activities in Germany.
Minister of Tourism from Germany: Egypt is safe and stable
The meetings reviewed developments in the tourism sector in Egypt and the region, in light of the current regional changes, in addition to discussing ways to enhance joint cooperation in a way that contributes to increasing tourist traffic from the German and European markets to the Egyptian tourist destination and enhancing its competitiveness.
During the meetings, the Minister stressed that Egypt enjoys a high degree of stability and security, and is geographically far from areas of tension in the region, noting that the tourist movement coming to Egypt is proceeding normally, and that the slowdown in short- and medium-term bookings that the market is currently witnessing is temporary as a result of regional developments.
He also stressed the Ministry’s keenness to daily monitor booking indicators and continuous communication with professional partners in various tourism markets, allowing for rapid dealing with any changes that may occur in travel traffic.
The Minister pointed out the Ministry’s intention to encourage repeat visits to Egyptian tourist destinations, by promoting Egypt as an integrated tourist destination characterized by a great diversity of its tourism products, which are not limited to beach tourism only, but also include cultural tourism, Nile tourism, spiritual tourism, and recreational tourism, providing tourists with multiple and distinct tourism experiences.
For their part, officials of German tourism associations and major tour operators confirmed that there is a noticeable demand from German and European tourists to visit Egypt, explaining that recent regional developments have led to a temporary slowdown in some reservations during the current period, with reservations for the summer season continuing.
They pointed to the growing interest in visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum, which was reflected in the increased demand for visiting the city of Cairo, in addition to the growing interest in the North Coast region as one of the promising tourist destinations in Egypt.
In this context, it was agreed with the Federation of German Tourism Companies (DRV) to organize an introductory trip for the Federation’s members of tourism companies and tour operators to the North Coast region to learn about its diverse tourism components, in preparation for preparing integrated tourism programs and promoting them in the German market.
Union members also expressed increasing interest in the Nile tourism product, as the Minister explained that this product is witnessing remarkable development, with the number of licensed floating hotels increasing to 237 floating hotels, of which 180 are currently operating and receiving tourists, while the rest are undergoing development and renovation work.
He added that Nile cruises provide tourists with a comprehensive tourism experience that includes visiting the most prominent cultural landmarks such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and historic Cairo, in addition to archaeological sites in Luxor and Aswan, in addition to visiting the points of the Holy Family’s itinerary in Egypt.
He also pointed out the imminent opening of the Atonian Museum in Minya, one of the largest cultural and archaeological projects in Upper Egypt, which has been equipped with a Nile marina to receive cruise ships, allowing it to be included in the Nile cruise programs.
The Minister also agreed with the Association of German Travel Agencies and Offices (RTK) for the Ministry’s participation in the expanded professional meeting that the Association intends to organize in Germany next October, with the participation of about 1,500 German tourism companies and tour operators, with the aim of promoting diverse tourism experiences in Egypt.
The meetings also touched on developing the system of medical services provided to tourists within hotel facilities, and discussing mechanisms for modernizing the health insurance system to ensure the provision of distinguished medical services to visitors.
The meetings witnessed praise from a number of international tourism companies for the quality of the tourism experience in Egypt, as LMX Touristik officials confirmed the development of the experience of visiting the Giza Pyramids area, while Schauinsland-Reisen praised the level of tourism services in the cities of Hurghada and Marsa Alam, while the Jet2holidays group announced plans to increase its flights to the cities of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada starting in 2027.
