In a series of high-level talks with executives from Viajes Carrefour & Dynamic Tours, El Corte Inglés, and Avoris, Fathy outlined a strategic shift away from Egypt's image as a "budget-friendly" destination. The Minister emphasized that the government is actively working to adjust pricing to reflect the quality of services provided, aiming to attract high-spending segments from Spain and Latin America.
"It is vital to diversify our client base and target
new segments through varied programs rather than relying on a single tourism
model," Fathy said, highlighting the ministry's new "Unmatched
Diversity" branding.
While the Spanish market has traditionally focused on
cultural tourism, Fathy urged operators to integrate beach resorts, safaris,
and spiritual tourism into their itineraries. Suggested routes included: Northern
Circuit in Cairo – Alexandria – El Alamein; Desert & Coast in Alexandria –
El Alamein – Siwa, and Nile & Red Sea in Luxor – Aswan – Hurghada.
The Minister specifically highlighted the North Coast and
New Alamein, which witnessed a staggering 450% growth in charter flight traffic
during 2025, cementing their status as premier global destinations.
Addressing the seasonality of Egyptian tourism, Fathy called
on operators to move beyond the traditional winter peak. He noted that the
ministry is offering enhanced incentives for summer bookings to encourage a
sustainable, year-round flow of visitors.
Industry leaders responded with optimism, citing a
"distinguished" 2025 season. Viajes Carrefour & Dynamic Tours
reported a monthly demand of up to 5,000 tourists for Egypt across their
markets and announced plans for a professional forum in mid-February to
showcase Egypt’s diverse products to 250 travel agencies.
During the discussions, operators from El Corte Inglés
raised concerns regarding price undercutting and overcrowding at historic
sites. Fathy responded by affirming that the ministry is strictly tackling
"price burning" practices and is working to streamline entry
procedures and increase gates at temples during peak hours.
To boost visibility, El Corte Inglés plans to organize a
familiarization trip to the North Coast in May. This will be supported by the Egyptian
Tourism Promotion Board (ETPB), which will coordinate visits for Spanish
influencers and journalists to highlight the Mediterranean coast’s potential.
The meetings were attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to Spain, Ihab Badawi, and Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the ETPB.