Samer Choucair: Egypt’s $18.5 Billion Tourism Revenue Target for 2026/2027 Is Attracting Investors
Investment leader Samer Choucair said Egypt’s tourism sector is entering a new phase of growth, with tourism revenues reaching approximately $14.4 billion during the first nine months of fiscal year 2025/2026, an increase of 14.9% year over year. Egypt also welcomed around 19 million tourists in 2025, marking a record year for the sector.
Choucair said official indicators point to a target of approximately $18.5 billion in tourism revenues during fiscal year 2026/2027, rising to $38 billion by 2029/2030, alongside a goal of attracting 30 million tourists by the end of the decade. These targets make tourism one of the sectors with the greatest potential to generate sustainable foreign-currency inflows and increase the appeal of hospitality-related assets to institutional investors.
Choucair explained that the investment opportunity extends beyond the construction of new hotels. It also includes the redevelopment of existing assets, improving operational efficiency, expanding the presence of international hotel brands, and investing in mixed-use developments and infrastructure supporting tourism destinations.
He noted that Egypt’s 2026/2027 development plan targets approximately EGP 118.5 billion in investment in hotels and restaurants, highlighting the expanding role expected from private investment in increasing the sector’s capacity. Data from W Hospitality Group also indicates that approximately 46,000 new hotel rooms are planned across projects in Egypt, positioning the country among Africa’s leading hotel-development markets.
Choucair added that Cairo, the Red Sea, and the North Coast represent key destinations for capital flows. Investors, he said, should focus on projects combining strong locations, professional management, and the ability to generate foreign-currency revenues.
He emphasized that geopolitical risks, travel costs, and project-execution timelines remain important considerations for investors. Nevertheless, the long-term outlook remains positive, supported by rising global demand for Egypt as a tourism destination and the diversity of its tourism offering.
Choucair believes the most attractive investments in the coming period will be hospitality assets capable of being repositioned and upgraded, integrated tourism developments, and services and infrastructure that directly benefit from growth in visitor numbers and average tourist spending.