The Egyptian Travel Agents Association welcomed the government’s decision to maintain tourist visa fees at $25, saying the move will support the tourism sector and strengthen Egypt’s competitiveness in attracting visitors.
Chairman Nader el‑Beblawi said keeping fees stable increases Egypt’s appeal to tourists, provides market stability and enhances the country’s position as a destination.
The announcement followed reports last week that the government planned to raise visa fees to $45, the first increase in more than a decade.
Outlets said the measure had been approved by President Abdel Fattah el‑Sissi and would apply to visas on arrival and e‑visas.
A recent report by Egypt’s Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center cited Fitch Solutions forecasts projecting 17.76 million tourists by the end of 2025, rising to 18.56 million in 2026.
The report highlighted global tourism’s rebound, noting 1.47 billion international arrivals in 2024, up 12.5% from the previous year. Revenues surpassed $1.73 trillion, exceeding pre‑pandemic levels for the first time.
The sector supported 356 million jobs in 2024, with projections of 371 million in 2025.
Museums were identified as key drivers of cultural tourism.
The Louvre in Paris led global attendance in 2023 with 8.9 million visitors, followed by the Vatican Museums and China’s National Museum. Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum, set to fully open in 2025, is expected to draw about 5 million visitors annually.