The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recently released its annual report on the Travel and Tourism Development Index, ranking Countries based on their performance in the travel and tourism sector. While Africa lags behind other regions as a whole, some standout African Countries have performed exceptionally well in terms of investment and development in this sector, as Egypt is ranked number one in Africa and has had the second greatest percentage improvement (+4.3%, 57th to 51st) in the entire index 2021. Why is this? What makes Egypt so unique? Let’s take a look at why Egypt has excelled so much in the travel and tourism sector.
Tourism in Egypt: An Overview
Before we begin our discussion on the reasons why Egypt ranks so highly on the travel and tourism development index, let’s take a quick look at tourism in the Country: - The numbers speak for themselves - According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Egypt’s tourism sector has experienced a massive boom in recent years, with the number of international tourists visiting the Country increased by 40% annually since 2010. In 2019, Egypt hosted more than 13 million tourists, earning the Country over $13 billion in revenue. - International appeal - With such a high number of people visiting Egypt each year, you would think that the Country is popular among only one particular group of people. However, this is not the case. Egypt has something to offer for every kind of traveler, from families to adventure-seekers to religious pilgrims. People from all over the world, from all walks of life, visit Egypt every year. - Most tourists from Europe, Asia and Africa - According to data from the UNWTO, the majority of tourists visiting Egypt are from Europe and Asia, with the majority coming from Russia, Germany, and Italy. Africa is also a major source of international tourists to Egypt, with the Country being a top destination for tourists visiting from Countries like South Africa. - Tourism is the main source of income - Beyond ranking highly on the travel and tourism development index, tourism is also the main source of income in Egypt. More than 10% of the Country’s GDP comes from tourism, and this sector employs around 11.30% of the Country’s total workforce.
Egypt’s Travel and Tourism Growth Strategy
While other nations have achieved success in the travel and tourism sector through investment in infrastructure and marketing campaigns, there are other reasons why Egypt ranks so highly on the travel and tourism development index. Travel and tourism are important sources of income for most Countries, and Egypt has long recognized this fact. The Country has long invested in its travel and tourism sector through marketing campaigns, improving its transport and hotel infrastructure, and developing its cultural and natural attractions. Over the years, Egypt created a vast network of museums, ancient monuments, and archaeological sites that draw tourists to the Country. There are many top-rated attractions in Egypt, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Temple of Philae, Abu Simbel, and the Valley of the Kings. The Country has also made efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and promote its rich history. Additionally, the Egyptian government has made strides in improving the Country’s transport infrastructure to make it easier for visitors to travel around the Country.
Cultural Heritage as a Tourist Attraction
The cultural heritage of a Country is one of the main reasons why people choose to travel there. For example, many people travel to France to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Likewise, many people visit Egypt to see the Country’s many cultural and historical landmarks. The cultural heritage of a Country is something that cannot be built in a year or two. It has been developed over thousands of years in some cases. Egypt has a long and storied history. In fact, many historians consider Egypt to be one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Visitors to Egypt can see many of the remnants of this ancient culture and history. There are many famous landmarks in Egypt that are thousands of years old. Some of the most famous landmarks in Egypt include the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Temple of Philae, Abu Simbel, and the Valley of the Kings.
Natural Environment as a Tourist Attraction
While cultural and historical landmarks are important to draw tourists to a Country, the Country’s natural environment is also very significant. After all, you can’t cart all of Egypt’s ancient monuments to other Countries to attract tourists. The Country’s natural attractions are also what make it a top destination for adventure-seekers. Egypt has some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling spots in the world. Moreover, the Country’s deserts and mountains are great for trekking and hiking. There are also wildlife reserves in Egypt, such as Ras Mohamed National Park, and Saint Catherine Mountain located in South Sinai. Egypt is also a great place for diving, Elphinstone Reef, is one of the world's most exciting diving destinations.
Egypt’s tourism sector has grown exponentially in recent years, largely due to the Country’s cultural and natural attractions. While other Countries have invested in marketing campaigns and infrastructure development to attract a high number of tourists, Egypt has built its tourism sector on its cultural and natural resources. This is something that no amount of marketing and development can achieve. The pyramids, the Sphinx, and other cultural landmarks such as the temples of Philae and Abu Simbel are some of the most famous monuments in the world, and they have stood for thousands of years.
