7 Reasons Travelers Are Visiting Egypt In Record Numbers This Year

Egypt is on track to have a record-breaking year for tourism in 2023.

The country has already hosted more than 7 million tourists this year, expecting to double that number by the end of 2023. This is a massive jump from the 11.7 million visitors in 2022. But Egypt is not just famous for its lively cities, ancient wonders, and beautiful natural scenery. There are many other reasons why tourists are flocking to this destination. Here are 7 of them:

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1. It’s Affordable

It’s a Steal Egypt has always been a tempting country for travelers on a budget. But it’s becoming even more economical as the value of the Egyptian Pound steadily declines. It has fallen more than 20% since the start of the year. This means travelers can benefit from the low prices, which are much more affordable than many popular Western countries and vacation places. According to BudgetYourTrip.com, the average expense of a one-week trip is just $181 per person (flights not included).

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2. There is a 5-Year Visa

Egypt has made it simpler than ever for tourists and digital nomads to visit with a 5-year multiple-entry visa for foreigners.

Citizens from 180 countries (including the US, UK, and Canada) can remain for up to 90 days, but they can come and go from the country as often as they wish.

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3. It’s More Credit Card-Friendly

If you’re concerned about the currency rate or changing money abroad, this is excellent news.

In a traditionally cash-only country (only 2% of transactions in 2018 were with cards), using credit cards to pay for hotels, restaurants, and attractions is becoming increasingly common in Egypt.

Even the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities now uses a cashless system for ticketing. That means you can now use your bank card to buy tickets to popular attractions, like the pyramids, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Salah Eddin al-Ayyubi Citadel.

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4. There are Nile Cruises

After the 2022 hit movie Death on the Nile, more travelers are keen to cruise down Africa’s longest river. While there are many cruise options, the brand-new Viking Anton is one of the newest and most lavish boats to launch in 2023.

The 12-day trip (owned and operated by Viking River Cruises) is a round-trip adventure that visits Cairo, Luxor, Qena, Esna, Aswan, Edfu, and more. It’s a great experience to see ancient and modern Egypt simultaneously.

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5. The Grand Egyptian Museum is Opening

The Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to open at the end of the year, at which it will become the most significant archaeological museum complex in the world. It will house over 100,000 artifacts, including King Tutankhamun’s treasure collection.

The museum is currently under construction in Giza, about 1.2 miles from the famous Giza pyramids.

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6. It’s Safe

Despite the US Department of State’s Level 3 warning for Egypt, the country is still a reasonably safe destination for tourists – as long as they stay away from the Sinai Peninsula (except for Sharm El-Sheikh) and the Western Desert. Popular areas like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Hurghada are delicate for tourists. The only significant risks to tourists are petty theft and scammers.

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7. There are New Flight Routes

Flying into Egypt has never been more convenient. More Americans can now fly straight into the country thanks to the new EgyptAir Newark to Cairo route launched in June 2023.

They also recently announced a 5X-weekly service from Cairo to Manchester, the only direct UK-to-Cairo route outside London. In addition to the new US and UK routes, they will add direct flights to Cairo from Delhi, India, and Bangladesh later this year.

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