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Achieving 30m tourists yearly.. egypt’s minister reveals figures, statistics.

Hanan Mohamed

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 - 10:26 GMT

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, revealed a set of figures and statistics related to the tourism sector in Egypt

CAIRO - 15 December 2022: Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, revealed a set of figures and statistics related to the tourism sector in Egypt, explaining that his ministry plays its role as an organizer and supervisor of nearly 8,000 tourist facilities.

Issa said during a meeting with journalists covering the tourism and antiquities sector, that the Supreme Council of Antiquities, spent about LE 3.1 billion during 2022, from the council's income along with part of the state budget, within the efforts to establish new museums, develop archaeological sites and maintain antiquities.

He pointed out that revenues from visit tickets amounted to LE 1 billion during the same year.

The Ministry of Tourism spent LE 800 million on promotional campaigns abroad, during the fiscal year 2022/ 2023, in addition to LE 850 million to support and stimulate direct tourism aviation, with a total of LE 1.65 billion, the minister added.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities explained that the amount spent is not considered large compared to the volume of the huge work produced. “We have in Egypt approximately 2,160 archaeological sites and 43 museums, of which 31 are open for visits,” he said.

He elaborated that the ministr , as an owner, has more than 40 museums and 2,000 archaeological sites, of which 130 sites and 31 museums are open to visit, and there are about 250 archaeological missions working in the field of excavations for antiquities, while as an operator, it supervises 1,300 tourist restaurants, 1,200 hotels, 2,200 bazaars, and 480 diving centers,  other than clubs licensed for tourism activities.

Issa added that the Supreme Council of Antiquities extends its role as a scientific and cultural institution that preserves, protects and records Egyptian antiquities in addition to excavating them, indicating that there are 250 foreign archaeological missions in Egypt that excavate for antiquities.

The minister affirmed the state's interest in developing cultural tourism and increasing the targeting of cultural tourists interested in archaeological sites and museums, because it is a competitive advantage that Egypt enjoys due to its archaeological sites, museums, treasures and monuments.

As for the ministry role, he stated that the ministry plays its role as an observer, organizer and catalyst, all with the aim of protecting the final consumer, who is the visitor or tourist, in order to improve the tourism service and the tourism experience provided in Egypt, and to advance the tourism industry.

Regarding the tourism promotion programs and aviation stimulus programs, the minister revealed that nearly LE 1.6 billion was spent on them during the fiscal year 2021/2022, in order to advance the tourism industry.

He added that global spending programs are being directed to serve the tourism industry and promotion programs are being prepared by launching various campaigns in a number of tourism-exporting markets in Egypt, in addition to civil aviation stimulus programs that will continue until next April.

Targeting to reach 30 million tourists

The minister clarified that the ministry is working on studying the challenges faced by the sector in order to reach 30 million tourists, noting that the highest tourist rate reached by Egypt was 14 million tourists in 2009/2010 season, followed by a decline in the rates to rebound in 2019 before being affected by the repercussions of COVID-19.

“Tourism is like other industries, that needs to study the challenges and problems in it to come up with solutions and set priorities, which is what is being worked on within the ministry at present,” he noted.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities explained that the Tourism Promotion Authority currently has six foreign offices in a number of countries in order to promote and stimulate tourism in Egypt.

According to Issa, since assuming his duties, he has been working on a number of tasks and setting priorities, perhaps the most important of which is reaching the 30 million tourists who visit Egypt every year.

He added that the assignments of Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly were to reach $30 billion in tourism within the 2030 plan, which the ministry is currently working on.

“Three priorities have been identified on which the ministry is based with regard to the tourism sector, the first axis, which is aviation, and there is joint coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation on a regular and continuous basis to increase the number of flights, seats and low-cost aviation, and the second axis is working to improve the tourism experience in Egypt.  The third is based on improving the tourism investment climate,” Issa stated.

The minister also pointed out that reaching 30 million tourists annually requires an increase in the growth rate of tourist rooms in Egypt by 25% annually to accommodate these numbers, and therefore the ministry is working to encourage and attract tourism investments in Egypt, especially since the state has spent a lot and succeeded in rehabilitating the infrastructure and regional roads.

Furthermore, he stated that the ministry is seeking a diversity of hotel rooms, especially three-star rooms, and distributing them to the governorates, especially Luxor, Aswan and Qena, which urgently need hotel rooms, indicating that he will do a "Master Plan" for 3-star hotel rooms with the Ministry of Housing.

"Today we have a vision of a number of problems that the industry suffers from, and we seek to develop a scientific vision to reduce them, and I am optimistic about the year 2023,” the minister said.

He showcased that there are 1,200 hotel establishments in Egypt, 1,325 tourist restaurants, more than 2,400 tourist attractions, 480 diving centers and marine activities, in addition to more than 2,160 archaeological sites and 43 antiquities museums.

The Aviation Sector

The work on the current aviation incentive system will continue until May 1, 2023, as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to support the incoming tourist movement to Egypt in light of the increased demand to visit Egypt, he stated.

Issa added that the number of incoming tourists has improved at the present time, and according to the official statistics that were sent to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, what is being done on the ground of the state's efforts has directly contributed to restoring the tourism movement.

Issa added that in the coming period, the focus will be on increasing the capacity of direct tourism aviation thrice the current capacity, which is expected through incoming traffic from 12 foreign countries, while providing an appropriate climate and fertile environment for investment, noting that the first steps to work on increasing the effectiveness of government efforts were  developing an accurate description of the role of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as an owner and operator, in order to make the best use of the available capabilities.

He added that his meetings with the associations of tourist investors during the past period witnessed an emphasis on the need for a common language between the ministry and investors, and continued understanding and joint work, to serve Egypt's primary goal of attracting 30 million tourists.

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Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa said he sees an opportunity for private sector-led growth. Photo: American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt

Egypt wants to increase its visitor numbers by between   25 per cent and 30 per cent annually as it pushes to hit 30 million tourists by 2028, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa said.

The new strategy to revitalise the tourism sector — battered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war — includes more than doubling the number of hotel rooms, increasing the number of plane seats, investing in promotion and improving the overall visitor experience.

“We need just 300,000 rooms, $30 billion of investments in rooms and probably similar amounts of investments in customer experiences. Spread the word — and it is a great industry to invest in,” said Mr Issa at a talk at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt on Monday.

Egypt’s tourism numbers dropped to 3.7 million in 2020, from about 13 million in 2019, before slightly recovering to eight million in 2021, according to the country’s statistics agency Capmas.

While full-year figures for 2022 are not available, five million tourists visited Egypt in the first half of the year.

The country’s revenue from the tourism sector, an important source of foreign currency, decreased to $4 billion in 2020, from about $13 billion in 2019, before hitting $9 billion in 2021.

Tourism is even more vital as Egypt struggles with an economic crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine about a year ago. In addition to lost tourism receipts, the war has led to a large capital outflow, a higher food import bill and soaring inflation .

As a condition for a $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund , the country has committed to a permanent shift to a flexible exchange rate, letting the Egyptian pound halve in value against the US dollar over the past year.

Mr Issa, who was appointed in August in a cabinet reshuffle , said he sees an opportunity for tourism growth led by the private sector, despite economic challenges.

In contrast to his predecessor Khaled El Enany , who came from an Egyptology and academic background, Mr Issa spent about 25 years at Egyptian lender Commercial International Bank. He held key roles such as chief financial officer and chief executive of retail banking.

“I have built a career on problem-solving,” Mr Issa said. “I usually ask myself: is it a problem of supply or is it a problem of demand?”

Egypt has 2,000 archaeological sites and six Unesco world heritage sites, including such top attractions as the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor and the temples of Aswan. It also features coastal destinations on both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

Despite all of this, the country “has only been getting less than 1 per cent of the total tourism in the world”, he said.

In 2019, there were more than 1.4 billion tourists globally, half of which went to Europe.

The mummy returns – ancient sarcophagus back in Egypt

A couple of surveys in the past few months have pointed to optimism for the future of Egypt’s tourism, Mr Issa said.

More than 74 per cent of industry experts expect to see improved performance in 2023, according to a survey in September from the government’s Information and Decision Support Centre.

Another survey by Egyptian newspaper Al Mal showed an 11 per cent annual improvement in the tourism industry’s business sentiment in December. Six in 10 expect their total revenue to increase in 2023.

“Overall, I can report that the state of the industry is on the right path,” he said.

However, the question remains why Egypt is not attracting the number of tourists that it should.

A study led by Mr El Enany found that 55 per cent of global tourists would be interested in coming to Egypt, showing that “it is not a problem with demand”, Mr Issa said.

One of the issues is not having enough plane seats coming in to the country. There were only 5,000 seats arriving from Russia during the last week of July, compared to 30,000 seats in the last week of December. Accordingly, the number of weekly arrivals from Russia grew by 5.5 times.

Mr Issa said there is also a need to increase budget airline seats, in particular, which only account for one in seven of Egypt’s total.

“Countries with more than 30 million tourists all have a higher percentage of low-cost carriers arriving in their countries to be able to achieve that number,” he said.

A second issue is hotel capacity, with about 210,000 rooms currently available in Egypt.

“We simply haven’t built enough hotel rooms in Egypt over the past few years,” Mr Issa said.

“Countries that serve 30 million to 40 million tourists have about half a million rooms or so, so we need to build 300,000 more rooms.”

The rooms are also not well distributed, with only about 15,000 floating hotel rooms and 7,000 on the ground in the key tourist destinations of Luxor and Aswan.

The plan is to start with adding 25,000 to 30,000 rooms this year and grow the ministry’s investment in promotion by 50 per cent, Mr Issa said.

In parallel, the ministry will be working with government and private sector partners to improve the overall customer experience at tourist sites and create value propositions for independent travellers.

“The product today is not ready and it is going to take us years to be able to build it,” he said.

As part of the ministry’s digital transformation, 78 nationalities can now receive an electronic visa while 20 will be added in the coming few weeks, Mr Issa said.

About 180 nationalities can receive a visa on arrival, provided they have a visa on their passports for the UK, US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or Schengen countries.

In December, 1.7 million e-tickets out of 2 million visitors were issued at the country’s archaeological sites and museums.

The ministry will be measuring its performance in improving the visitor experience over the coming two to three years, he said.

“We are going to ensure that [tourism] in Egypt continues to grow by 25 per cent to 30 per cent per annum over the coming five years until we reach 30 million tourists by 2028, maximum by 2030, God willing.”

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The UN Tourism Data Dashboard – provides statistics and insights on key indicators for inbound and outbound tourism at the global, regional and national levels. Data covers tourist arrivals, tourism share of exports and contribution to GDP, source markets, seasonality and accommodation (data on number of rooms, guest and nights)

Two special modules present data on the impact of COVID 19 on tourism as well as a Policy Tracker on Measures to Support Tourism

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• International tourist arrivals and receipts and export revenues
• International tourism expenditure and departures
• Seasonality
• Tourism Flows
• Accommodation
• Tourism GDP and Employment
• Domestic Tourism

International Tourism and COVID-19

• The pandemic generated a loss of 2.6 billion international arrivals in 2020, 2021 and 2022 combined
• Export revenues from international tourism dropped 62% in 2020 and 59% in 2021, versus 2019 (real terms) and then rebounded in 2022, remaining 34% below pre-pandemic levels.
• The total loss in export revenues from tourism amounts to USD 2.6 trillion for that three-year period.
• International tourist arrivals reached 88% of pre-pandemic levels in January-December 2023

COVID-19: Measures to Support Travel and Tourism

Egypt Tourism Statistics 2023: All You Need To Know

by GoWithGuide travel specialist: Ajitsa A.

Things To Do

Which one sounds easier? Building a King Tut-worthy pyramid, or finding the reliable information you need when planning your  Egypt journey ? Okay, so constructing a pharaoh's tomb is no easy feat, but gathering accurate, honest information before you start your adventure can be an uphill battle. That’s why we’re offering you an oasis amongst your vast desert of open tabs.

Want to know who visits Egypt the most? Keep scrolling. Can’t find out if Egypt is safe for traveling? We’ve got you. By the time you reach the bottom of this page, you’ll be able to confidently embark on a GoWithGuide Egyptian rihla (that’s journey in Arabic, Egypt’s national language). 

Egypt, officially known as the Arab Republic of Egypt, is one of the world’s most historically relevant nations, and one of the oldest nations in Africa. Most known for the Pharaonic dynasties that birthed pyramids, temples, and ruins, Egypt's popularity as a tourist destination has only grown over the years with 2019 pulling in 13.1 million tourists. 

The pandemic brought tourism to a grinding halt, with the country seeing only 3 million travelers in 2020. However, they bounced back two years later with 13 million visitors in 2022. On top of that, it’s predicted that Egypt will be the 9th most popular travel destination for 2023. 

So why is Egypt a popular tourist destination? Let’s find out!

Why We Love Egypt

Ancient Egypt : Lavish tombs, grand structures, and larger-than-life monuments to ancient gods and rulers. That's what everybody wants to see when they visit the foundations of one of the world's largest historic civilizations;

• The Sphinx  - Located in the Giza Plateau lies this breathtaking structure that came to life during the 4th Pharaonic dynasty . As various powers conquered Egypt, it endured some abuse, but it still stands as a callback to the lion-like leaders of days gone. 
• The Pyramids of Giza  - Of course, there's no way you can visit Egypt and miss out on this must-see phenomenon, and yes, it’s even better than the pictures. So how many tourists visit the pyramids of Giza each year? 14.7 million ! If you want to be one of them, our Giza Tours include the sphinx, pyramids, and any nearby temples. 
• The Abu Simbel Temples  - King Ramesses II oversaw the carving of this 98-foot (30-meter) high monument to his power, and it took a whopping 20 years to complete. For more temple fun, talk to your private guide about special occasions such as the solar alignments celebration. 
• Luxor’s Temples  - Known as the center point for Ancient Egypt’s most revered religious ceremonies, Luxor’s temples, also known as Ipet-resyt , was influenced by several Pharaohs, including Hatshepsut.

Fantastic Food : Spicy, hearty, and full of the region's most distinct flavors, Egyptian cuisine is often overlooked, but once you taste it, it's never forgotten. So what are some popular Egyptian dishes?  

• Kushari/Koshary  - Get ready for a carbo-loading extravaganza! Chock-full of rice, macaroni, spaghetti, hummus and so much more, this starchy meal is a staple lunch for most Egyptians. 
• Shawarma  - Popularised in Egypt during the Ottoman empire, Shawarma is a beloved local street snack. The Egyptian version features slim-cut beef, chicken or lamb, tahini sauce, fries, and Egypt's favorite vegetable, onions. 
• Kofta & Kebabs  - Kebabs (grilled lamb, chicken, or red meat) and Koftas (minced meat) are known throughout the Arab world, and in Egypt, they're often cooked over a coal fire and served alongside soft, freshly baked bread. 
• Ta'ameya  - This Egyptian spin on classic falafel contains fava beans, coriander, parsley, and cumin and is often topped with toasted sesame seeds and served with soups and meat dishes. 
• Hawawshi  - Egypt's answer to a meat pie, this savory snack is on most street corners. Filled with minced meat and spices and surrounded by warm pita bread, it's a lightweight sandwich with a lot of flavors. 
• Feteer Meshaltet  - Time for dessert! This sweet, layered pastry is an Egyptian original, featuring chocolate, coconut, peanuts, and savory elements like ground beef. 

Travel Treat : We can all agree that food is the best part of discovering a new country. So if you’re a foodie looking for a taste of Authentic Egyptian cuisine, an Egypt food tour is the best place to start. 

Desert Adventures : Yes, we love Egypt's desert! Nearly 95% of the country's terrain is desert land. Rolling dunes, flatlands, and caravans of camels color the way. We've got several curated desert adventures, so if you're feeling spoilt for choice, check out some of our top activities; 

• 3-Day Egypt Touring Extravaganza  - Touch down in Cairo and spend 3 days soaking in the sights and sounds of the capital city, Alexandria, and the Giza Plateau
• Explore The West Bank of Luxor  - Tour the mortuary temple of Egyptian royals like Queen Hatshepsut and learn about the tomb of nobles in one of Egypt's oldest desert locations. 
• Desert Day Tour  - From the Sakkara pyramids to the Sphinx, spend the day taking memorable photos, riding camels, and learning all about ancient Egyptian living.  
• Al Fayyum Oasis Day Tour  - Enjoy breakfast at the soothing Al Fayyum oasis, then discover the Wadi El Hitan, a UNESCO world heritage site dedicated to the preservation of whale fossils. 
• Bahariya Oasis & White Desert Tour  - Spend two days and one night exploring the mysterious white desert, the palm tree oasis, and unique chalkstone structures molded by nature. 

Who Else Loves Egypt?  

Okay, so you’ve got Egyptian pyramids dancing in your eyes, and you can almost feel the cool Nile breeze on your skin. Well, you’re in good company. Tourism is big business here. So what percentage of Egypt’s economy is tourism? Well, the industry accounts for 12% of the nation’s GDP, and according to the Central Bank of Egypt, tourism revenues were just over 13 billion dollars in 2019. 

So who else has Egypt on their bucket list? The results might surprise you. 

• Germany  - 2.5 million German residents flocked to the sunny nation for business and leisure. 
• Ukraine  - Coming in second is Ukraine, with 1.5 million recorded tourists for 2019.  
• Saudi Arabia  - Nearly 1.4 million Saudi Arabians frequented Egypt to visit family and engage in trade and tourism. 
• Libya  - 766,000 Libyans crossed their shared border with Egypt
• Sudan  - 752,000  

Stunned to see only one Western country in the top five? We hear you. In truth, western governments have been hesitant to encourage travel in this region for several reasons, which we'll get into later.

Okay, so you're mentally geared up for your tour, so when is the best time to go? Let's figure that out. 

Tourism Trends Through The Year : Book the best tour time with this quick travel trends breakdown. 

• December-February : Get ready for large crowds at popular tourist sites like the Pyramids, The Grand Egyptian Museum, and The Sphinx. This is Egypt's peak tourism season, thanks to the warm but pleasant weather. 
• March-May : This is the best time to visit the country if you want moderately hot weather without the large crowds from the winter touring season. 
• June-August : Take it from us. Unless you're physically prepared to endure uncomfortable heat, you don't want to be in Egypt at this time. It's HOT. Seriously. Most tourist activity slows down to a grinding halt and you'd have a hard time exploring open-air museums like the pyramids in this weather. 
• September-November : The tourist season kicks off with social events such as;
• The Abu Simbel Sun Festival  - A celebration of Rameses II’s reign with a spectacular natural lights show held twice a year (February & October). 
•   The Cairo Jazz Festival  - Clear your calendar for over a week of celebrating Egypt’s booming jazz scene. Hundreds of musicians from around the world will perform, and additional activities for kids and workshops for adults  adds to the fun. 
• The El Gouna Film Festival  - Though this festival is young (founded in 2017), it’s become a strong representation of cinema within the region, and the venue is architecturally stunning. 

Travel Truth : Is tourism in Egypt increasing? Yes! Over 4 million tourists flocked to Egypt within the first 6 months of 2022. With that said, this progress comes with some disadvantages. So what are the negative impacts of tourism in Egypt? 

• Noise Pollution 
• Water Pollution  
• The Strain on Local Resources 
• Tourism Dependence

That last part might have you asking, is Egypt a good place to visit right now? The answer is yes. Despite the effects of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, this country is slowly getting on its feet, and tourism and good reports on the country will only quicken the process. Egypt can be as safe as any other tourist destination if you plan. So let's do that, shall we? 

Exploring Egypt: Where To Go 

There’s a whole lot to see once you’re in the land of Pharaohs. Let’s look at some of the most popular destinations. 

• Cairo - Welcome to Cairo, Egypt’s capital and the most populated metro area in the Middle Eastern Region with over 20 million people. You'll love Cairo if you're looking for; 
• Museums - The Egyptian Museum is right at the historical Tahrir Square. You can also tour the Museum of Islamic Art and the Palace Museum. 
• Pyramids - The Giza Pyramids are a mere 15 kilometers from the Cairo City Center. 
• Architecture - Marvel at the architectural feats of the city's most famous mosques and Coptic structures. 
• Luxor - Known as one of the world's most extensive and historically significant open-air museums, Luxor presents one marvel after the next. You'll love Luxor if you're into; 
• Temples - Hatshepsut's reign is cemented in history, with this grand temple depicting her glorious 20-year reign as a rare female Pharaoh.  
• Gigantic Structures - The sheer size of the structures in the Valley of Kings is both intimidating and awe-inspiring. 
• Alexandria - Named after the infamous global conqueror Alexander The Great, this city has deep roots in Greco-Roman culture, with tales of Cleopatra and Ancient Pharaonic matriarchies enchanting most tourists.  You’ll love Alexandria if you’re into; 
• Seaside Views - Gaze upon the Mediterranean Sea or explore the Alexandra coast via boat. 
• Catacombs - The 2nd Century C.E. structures are even better up close and personal. Pay specific attention to the Kom el Shoqafa tombs
• Roman Relics - The Roman Amphitheater instantly transports you to the ancient, powerful nation known for conquering half the world.

Travel Treat: Why not dedicate an entire day to exploring this magnificent pearl of the ancient Egyptian world? Sail the sea and take your time soaking in rich historical sites like the Royal Library of Alexandria with a full-day private Alexandria tour . 

• Aswan - Cairo might be the capital, but Aswan is an important element of Egyptian living thanks to the revolutionary Aswan dam . You’ll love Aswan if you’re into;
• Laid Back Energy - Aswan isn't as loud and busy as Egypt's most populated cities, so if you're looking for a low-key trip, start here. 
• Sailing - Spend a few hours along the Nile in a Felucca, the region's traditional sailboat. 

Travel Truth : Though Cairo is a friendly city with hospitable locals, tensions from the 2011 Egypt Revolution have led to a more stressful atmosphere for locals. So what are the major problems in Cairo?  

• Unemployment 
• Tension with Local Authority 
• Weakened Infrastructure 
• Poverty in downtown Cairo 

This might leave you wondering, how safe is Cairo for tourists? That depends on where you go when you travel and who you're with. We can't stress the importance of a local private guide who knows the ins and outs of a complex city like Cairo. For a list of do's, don't, and safety tips, keep reading. 

Life In Egypt: What To Expect from the Land of Pharaohs

You won’t get to live like a Pharoah, but life in modern Egypt can be just as fun if you keep these daily details in mind;

Getting Around 

Cairo, Alexandria, and most Egyptian cities are a confusing mix of fast taxis, motorbikes, and buses, so here's how tourists can tackle their commute;

• A Private Car - This cannot be recommended enough. Renting a private car while in Egypt will remove the haggling and unfair charges from local taxis. It will also protect you from ill-minded drivers and uncomfortable public transport situations, especially for women. 
• Uber - A great option if you need a quick ride, just make sure the driver is rated 4 stars and above. 
• Motorbike -These can be quite fast, but keep your belongings close as some pickpockets have been known to snatch bags. Also, make sure you negotiate the price beforehand.  
• Bus - This is good for those with a large group or a guide, otherwise buses for foreigners can be confusing.  
• Walk - if you’ve got a guide with you, venturing into central Cairo won’t be as intimidating.

The Weather

Egypt is a mix of several deserts , including The Sahara, The Sinai Desert, and the Eastern Desert, so expect a lot of sunshine, and little to no rain. So with that in mind, you want to time your Egypt trip according to what you're looking for and what kind of weather you’ll want to experience. For extra help, check out our Weather chart. 

Annual Average Weather Quick Facts 

• Temperature Highs - 28.2°C (82.7°F)
• Temperature Lows -17.3°C (63.1°F)
• Sunshine Hours - 9.5 hrs
• Average Rainfall- 55 mm (2.2 inches) 

Alexandria 

• Temperature Highs - 25.3°C (77.5°F) 
• Temperature Lows - 16.6°C (61.8°F) 
• Sunshine Hours - 9.1 hrs
• Average Rainfall - 235 mm (9.3 inches), 32 days 

Luxor 

• Temperature Highs - 33.7°C (92.6°F) 
• Temperature Lows - 17.4°C (63.3°F) 
• Average Rainfall - 0mm (0 inches)

Do’s & Don’ts  

What To Avoid: Red Flags For Travelers 

We can't move on in good faith without addressing what's at the forefront of most minds when considering a trip to Egypt. Safety. So is Egypt safe for traveling? Yes, but there's a catch.

Both The UK Government and U.S. Embassy have issued red zones to avoid while traveling due to terrorist activity. Luckily, none of those zones conflict with the marvelous places we've mentioned in this article. Still, there are some common tourist traps you should avoid ;

• “I’m an Egyptologyst, I Swear” : Most experts on Ancient Egyptian history are within museums and sites, in uniform or with badges, so anyone offering to educate you on Egypt’s alluring history for “free” is someone you should respond to with a “no thanks”. 
• Papyrus Lies : This goes for any vendor offering to take you to where the “real” papyrus and gold souvenirs are. Instead, you’ll find yourself in a stall with an elaborate display of goods and pressure to buy something that’s a fake or not worth the cost. 
• Pickpockets & Bag Snatchers : They’re the one thing most countries have in common, so keep an eye on your stuff and watch how you use your phone in public settings. 

Special Note on Egypt For Women Tourists  

Touring Egypt can be difficult if you're not aware of the cultural differences. Though it won't get rid of negative cultural practices towards women, dressing can be a great way to blend with locals. So what should a female tourist wear in Egypt? Loose and comfortable clothing. Keeping the weather in mind, loose blouses, shirts that cover the shoulders and flowy skirts below the knees are the most common clothing.

Here are some things you might experience as a female traveler; 

• Staring - Regardless of your clothing, you'll likely feel some discomfort from men constantly staring at you. 
• Catcalling/verbal harassment - This occurs mostly with young women. Uncomfortable comments will arise, mostly from young men, but ignoring them is the best option.
• Public Transport Harassment - Riding public cars and buses solo isn’t a good idea for solo women travelers, so we recommend hiring a private car. Alternatively, you can try the women-only buses in Cairo. 

Now that you’ve got the knowledge, Egypt seems that much closer doesn’t it? You can see Alexandrian sunsets in your future. There's just one thing. Your dreams of nights spent camping in the desert and mornings spent scouring the open-air markets for souvenirs keep getting interrupted by pesky reminders that you've got to book everything. That's where we come in. 

Let our Egypt private tour guides do the heavy lifting. That means no time spent; 

• Haggling prices with local vendors 
• Calling several locations to secure tickets for museums, festivals, and monuments 
• Planning transportation to and from each monument or site 
• Worrying about which locations are safe for you and your travel group
• Getting confused about local customs 
• Uncomfortable social situations

Now that you’ve done the responsible thing, it’s time for some fun! Your  Egypt tours await, so let us make your dream trip a reality. 

P.S . Looking to travel with companions? The more, the merrier! Share this post with your friends and get them just as excited about touring Egypt as you are. 

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Hello everyone, I am an English-Speaking guide since 2007.I always plan to be a tour guide and meet different people from different nations.I do private tours in Cairo,Giza,Alexandria,Fayum...etc.                                                                                                                                  

Greetings to all who are drawn to the timeless wonders of Egypt! I am Mohamed, your humble guide on a journey through the ages. With over 15 years of experience as an Egyptology licensed tour guide, I've immersed myself in the captivating tapestry of ancient Egyptian history. My odyssey began in the picturesque city of Aswan, where the Nile's gentle currents weave tales of antiquity. Surrounded by majestic monuments and sacred sites, I developed an insatiable curiosity for the mysteries of the past, leading me to pursue guiding as my life's calling. From the iconic pyramids of Giza to the serene temples of Luxor, I've traversed Egypt, unraveling the enigmas of our ancestors for travelers worldwide. In the vibrant streets of Cairo, I embrace the pulse of modern Egypt, where tradition and innovation converge. Beyond guiding, my interests span cars, football, literature, and swimming. My faithful companion, Hamasa, embodies Egypt's spirit. As I look to the future, I'm excited to deepen my knowledge and craft unforgettable experiences for those who journey with me. Join me on a voyage of discovery, where every step reveals treasures to cherish. Together, let's embark on an odyssey through Egypt's rich legacy. Welcome to a land where history resonates and the promise of tomorrow beckons.                                                                                                                                  

I'm a local, professional and independent guide speaking French and English and French.  I studied at the Faculty of Tourism. I'm a member of the Egyptian Syndicate of Tourist Guides. I invite you to share the daily life and the passion of the Egyptians, especially the little nuggets unknown to the general public, the small typical addresses of the city as well as the gastronomy of the country to better understand the culture and the traditions of the country. I also offer you a tailor-made trip throughout Egypt according to your desires and your budget.                                                                                                                                  

Certified Tourist Guide and Travel Planner with more than 18 years of experience sharing my love of ancient and modern Egypt with clients who want a more personalized and memorable vacation. Graduated from the Faculty of Tourism & Hotels Management in 2004, Department of Tourist Guidance. Bear Tourist Guide license no. 2110 from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and a member of the Egyptian Syndicate of Tourist Guides. I also have a very well experienced team of tour guides, in a case I’m not available, I will provide you with a professional tour guide. Services include: Transfers in A/C tourist vehicles. Private tours. Daily guided tours. Holiday packages. Nile cruise packages. Long Nile cruise packages. Lake Nasser cruises. Solo travel packages. Felucca trips. Dahabiya Nile cruises. Egypt budget tours. Egypt solo budget tours. Egypt shore excursions. Combined Egypt & Jordan tour packages. Tailor-made tours. If you would like to know how I can help you to discover the beauty of Egypt, just contact me.                                                                                                                                  

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Egypt Visitor Arrivals

• Egypt Visitor Arrivals recorded 5,925,000 person in Dec 2021, compared with 819,000 person in the previous year
• Egypt Visitor Arrivals data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1982 to Dec 2021
• The data reached an all-time high of 14,731,000 person in Dec 2010 and a record low of 819,000 person in Dec 2020

View Egypt's Visitor Arrivals from 1982 to 2021 in the chart:

What was Egypt's Visitor Arrivals in 2021?

Egypt Visitor Arrivals recorded 5,925,000 person in Dec 2021, compared with 819,000 person in the previous year See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals by Country Comparison

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Now boarding: Faces, places, and trends shaping tourism in 2024

After falling by 75 percent in 2020, travel is on its way to a full recovery by the end of 2024. Domestic travel is expected to grow 3 percent annually and reach 19 billion lodging nights per year by 2030. 1 Unless otherwise noted, the source for all data and projections is Oxford Economics. Over the same time frame, international travel should likewise ramp up to its historical average of nine billion nights. Spending on travel is expected to follow a similar trajectory, with an estimated $8.6 trillion in traveler outlays in 2024, representing roughly 9 percent of this year’s global GDP.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Caroline Tufft , Margaux Constantin , Matteo Pacca , and Ryan Mann , with Ivan Gladstone and Jasperina de Vries, representing views from McKinsey’s Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice.

There’s no doubt people still love to travel and will continue to seek new experiences in new places. But where will travelers come from, and where will they go? We developed a snapshot of current traveler flows, along with estimates for growth through 2030. For the purposes of this report, we have divided the world into four regions—the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

Our analysis identifies three major themes for industry stakeholders to consider:

• The bulk of travel spending is close to home. Stakeholders should ensure they capture the full potential of domestic travel before shifting their focus to international travelers. And they should start with international travelers who visit nearby countries—as intraregional trips represent the largest travel segment after domestic trips.
• Source markets are shifting. Although established source markets continue to anchor global travel, Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia are all becoming fast-growing sources of outbound tourism.
• The destinations of the future may not be the ones you imagine. Alongside enduring favorites, places that weren’t on many tourists’ maps are finding clever ways to lure international travelers and establish themselves as desirable destinations.

The bulk of travel spending is close to home

International travel might feel more glamorous, but tourism players should not forget that domestic travel still represents the bulk of the market, accounting for 75 percent of global travel spending (Exhibit 1). Domestic travel recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic faster than international travel, as is typical coming out of downturns. And although there has been a recent boom in “revenge travel,” with travelers prioritizing international trips that were delayed by the pandemic, a return to prepandemic norms, in which domestic travel represents 70 percent of spending, is expected by 2030.

The United States is the world’s largest domestic travel market at $1 trillion in annual spending. Sixty-eight percent of all trips that start in the United States remain within its borders. Domestic demand has softened slightly, as American travelers return abroad. 2 Dawit Habtemariam, “Domestic U.S. tourism growth levels off as Americans head overseas,” Skift, August 18, 2023. But tourism players with the right offerings are still thriving: five national parks broke attendance records in 2023 (including Joshua Tree National Park, which capitalized on growing interest from stargazers indulging in “dark sky” tourism 3 Scott McConkey, “5 national parks set attendance records in 2023, and the reasons may surprise you,” Wealth of Geeks, April 16, 2024. ).

China’s $744 billion domestic travel market is currently the world’s second largest. Chinese travelers spent the pandemic learning to appreciate the diversity of experiences on offer within their own country. Even as borders open back up, Chinese travelers are staying close to home. And domestic destinations are benefiting: for example, Changchun (home to the Changchun Ice and Snow Festival) realized 160 percent year-on-year growth in visitors in 2023. 4 Shi Xiaoji, “Why don’t Chinese people like to travel abroad anymore? The global tourism industry has lost 900 billion yuan. What is the situation?,” NetEase, February 12, 2024. In 2024, domestic travel during Lunar New Year exceeded prepandemic levels by 19 percent.

China’s domestic travel market is expected to grow 12 percent annually and overtake the United States’ to become the world’s largest by 2030. Hotel construction reflects this expectation: 30 percent of the global hotel construction pipeline is currently concentrated in China. The pipeline is heavily skewed toward luxury properties, with more than twice as many luxury hotels under construction in China as in the United States.

India, currently the world’s sixth-largest domestic travel market by spending, is another thriving area for domestic travel. With the subcontinent’s growing middle class powering travel spending growth of roughly 9 percent per year, India’s domestic market could overtake Japan’s and Mexico’s to become the world’s fourth largest by 2030. Domestic air passenger traffic in India is projected to double by 2030, 5 Murali Krishnan, “Can India’s airports cope with rapid passenger growth?,” Deutsche Welle, February 7, 2024. boosted in part by a state-subsidized initiative that aims to connect underserved domestic airports. 6 “India is seeing a massive aviation boom,” Economist , November 23, 2023.

When travelers do go abroad, they often stay close to home (Exhibit 2).

Europe and Asia, in particular, demonstrate strong and growing intraregional travel markets.

Recognizing this general trend, stakeholders have been funneling investment toward regional tourism destinations. An Emirati wealth fund, for instance, has announced its intent to invest roughly $35 billion into established hospitality properties and development opportunities in Egypt. 7 Michael Gunn and Mirette Magdy, “UAE’s $35 billion Egypt deal marks Gulf powers’ buying spree,” Bloomberg, April 27, 2024.

Europe has long played host to a high share of intraregional travel. Seventy percent of its travelers’ international trips stay within the region. Europe’s most popular destinations for intraregional travelers are perennial warm-weather favorites—Spain (18 percent), Italy (10 percent), and France (8 percent)—with limited change to these preferences expected between now and 2030.

Despite longer travel distances between Asian countries, Asia’s intraregional travel market is beginning to resemble Europe’s. Intraregional travel currently accounts for about 60 percent of international trips in Asia—a share expected to climb to 64 percent by 2030. As in Europe in past decades, Asian intraregional travel is benefiting from diminishing visa barriers and the development of a low-cost, regional flight network.

Thailand is projected to enjoy continued, growing popularity with Asian travelers. Thailand waived visa requirements for Chinese tourists in 2023 and plans to do the same for Indian tourists starting in 2024. It has aggressively targeted the fast-growing Indian traveler segment, launching more than 50 marketing campaigns directed at Indians over the past decade. The investment may be paying off: Bangkok recently overtook Dubai as the most popular city destination for Indian tourists. 8 “Bangkok overtakes Dubai as top destination for Indians post visa relaxation, reveals Agoda,” PR Newswire, January 18, 2024.

A McKinsey ConsumerWise survey on consumer sentiment, conducted in February 2024, suggests that Chinese travelers are also exhibiting high interest in international travel, with 36 percent of survey respondents indicating that they intend to spend more on international travel in the next three months. 9 Daniel Zipser, “ China brief: Consumers are spending again (outside of China) ,” McKinsey, April 8, 2024. Much of this interest is directed toward regional destinations such as Southeast Asia and Japan, with interest in travel to Europe down from previous years. 10 Guang Chen, Zi Chen, Steve Saxon, and Jackey Yu, “ Outlook for China tourism 2023: Light at the end of the tunnel ,” McKinsey, May 9, 2023.

Given travelers’ preference for proximity, how can tourism stakeholders further capitalize on domestic and intraregional travel demand? Here are a few strategies:

• Craft offerings that encourage domestic tourists to rediscover local gems. Destinations, hotels, and transportation providers can encourage domestic tourists to integrate lesser-known cultural landmarks into their trips to visit friends and relatives. In France, the upscale hotel chain Relais & Châteaux markets historic properties that lie far from classic tourist sights—such as Château Saint-Jean in rural Auvergne—as a welcome escape from the bustle of Paris. In Mexico, the Pueblos Mágicos program has successfully boosted domestic tourist visits to a set of “magical towns” that showcase Mexican heritage.
• Fold one-off domestic destinations into fuller itineraries. Route 66 in the United States is a classic road trip pathway, which spurs visits to attractions all along the highway’s length. Tourism stakeholders can collaborate to create similar types of domestic itineraries around the world. For instance, Mexico has expanded on its Pueblos Mágicos concept by branding coordinated visits to multiple villages as “magical routes.” In France, local tourism boards and vineyards have collaborated to promote bucket list “wine routes” around the country.
• Make crossing borders into neighboring countries seamless. Removing logistical barriers to travel can nudge tourists to upgrade a one-off trip to a single attraction into a bucket list journey across multiple, less-trodden destinations. In Africa, for example, Ethiopian Airlines is facilitating cross-border travel to major regional tourist sites through improved air connectivity. In Asia, Thailand has announced its intent to create a joint visa easing travel among Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Source markets are shifting

The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, and France remain the world’s five largest sources of travelers, in that order. These countries collectively accounted for 38 percent of international travel spending in 2023 and are expected to remain the top five source markets through 2030. But interest in travel is blossoming in other parts of the world—causing a shift in the balance of outbound travel flows (Exhibit 3).

North Americans’ travel spending is projected to hold steady at roughly 3 percent annual growth. US consumers voice growing concerns about inflation, and the most cost-constrained traveler segments are reducing travel, which is affecting ultra-low-cost airlines and budget hotels. Most travelers, however, plan to continue traveling: McKinsey research suggests that American consumers rank international and domestic travel as their highest-priority areas for discretionary spending. Instead of canceling their trips, these consumers are adapting their behavior by traveling during off-peak periods or booking travel further in advance. Travel spending by Europeans paints a slightly rosier picture, with roughly 5 percent projected annual growth. Meanwhile, the projected 12 percent annual growth in Chinese travelers’ spending should anchor substantial increases in travel spending across Northeast Asia.

Alongside these enduring traveler segments, new groups of travelers are emerging. Eastern Europe, India, and Southeast Asia are still comparatively small source markets, but they are developing fast-growing pools of first-time tourists (Exhibit 4).

India’s breakneck GDP growth of 6 percent year over year is bolstering a new generation of travelers, 11 Benjamin Laker, “India will grow to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027,” Forbes , February 23, 2024. resulting in a projected annual growth in travel spending of 9 percent between now and 2030. Indian air carriers and lodging companies are making substantial investments to meet projected demand. Budget airline IndiGo placed the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history in 2023, when it pledged to buy 500 Airbus A320 planes 12 Anna Cooban, “Biggest plane deal in history: Airbus clinches massive order from India’s IndiGo,” CNN, June 19, 2023. ; that same week, Air India nearly equaled IndiGo’s order size with purchase agreements for 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing jets. IndiGo later added an order for 30 additional Airbus A350 planes, well suited to serving both domestic and international routes. 13 “Airbus confirms IndiGo's A350 aircraft order,” Economic Times , May 6, 2024. The Indian Hotels Company Limited is ramping up its hotel pipeline, aiming to open two new hotels per month in the near future. International players are not sitting on the sidelines: seven hotel chains are launching new brands in India in 2024, 14 Peden Doma Bhutia, “Indian Hotels expansion plans: 2 new brands launching, 2 hotels opening every month,” Skift, February 2, 2024. including Marriott’s first Moxy- and Tribute-branded hotels in India and entrants from Hilton’s Curio and Tapestry brands. 15 Forum Gandhi, “Check-in frenzy: International hotel giants unleash fresh brands in India’s booming hospitality landscape,” Hindu Businessline , February 13, 2024. Development focus has shifted away from major metropolises such as Mumbai and Delhi and toward fast-developing, smaller cities such as Chandigarh and Hyderabad.

Southeast Asian travel spending is projected to grow at roughly 7 percent per year. Pockets of particularly high growth exist in Cambodia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. To capitalize on this blossoming source market, neighboring countries are rolling out attractive visa arrangements: for example, China has agreed to reciprocal visa waivers for short-term travelers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. 16 Julienna Law, “China launches ‘visa-free era’ with Southeast Asia. Will travel retail boom?,” Jing Daily , January 30, 2024.

Travel spending by Eastern Europeans is expected to grow at 7 percent per year until 2030—two percentage points higher than spending by Western Europeans. Areas of especially high growth include the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland, where middle-class travelers are increasingly venturing farther afield. Major tourism players, including the TUI Group, have tapped into these new source markets by offering charter flights to warm-weather destinations such as Egypt. 17 Hildbrandt von Klaus, “TUI develops Czech Republic as a new source market,” FVW, December 22, 2023.

Although the number of travelers from these new source markets is growing, their purchasing power remains relatively limited. Compared with Western European travelers (who average $159 per night in total travel spending), South Asians spend 20 percent less, Eastern Europeans spend 40 percent less, and Southeast Asians spend 55 percent less. Only 3 percent of the current Asian hotel construction pipeline caters to economy travelers, suggesting a potential supply gap of rooms that could appeal to budget-constrained tourists.

While acknowledging that historical source markets will continue to constitute the bulk of travel spending, tourism players can consider actions such as these to capitalize on growing travel demand from newer markets:

• Reduce obstacles to travel. Countries can look for ways to strategically invest in simplifying travel for visitors from growing source markets. In 2017, for example, Azerbaijan introduced express processing of electronic visas for Indian visitors; annual arrivals from India increased fivefold in two years. Requirements regarding passport photocopies or in-person check-ins can similarly be assessed with an eye toward reducing red tape for travelers.
• Use culturally relevant marketing channels to reach new demographics. Unique, thoughtful marketing strategies can help destinations place themselves on first-time travelers’ bucket lists. For example, after the release of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara , a popular Bollywood movie shot in Spain with support from the Spanish Ministry of Tourism, Indian tourism to Spain increased by 65 percent. 18 “ Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara part of syllabus in Spain colleges,” India Today , June 6, 2004.
• Give new travelers the tech they expect. Travelers from newer source markets often have access to tech-forward travel offerings. For example, Indian travelers can travel anywhere within their country without physical identification, thanks to the Digi Yatra app. The Southeast Asian rideshare app Grab has several helpful travel features that competitors lack, such as automated menu translation and currency conversion. Tourism stakeholders should consider how to adapt to the tech expectations of newer travelers, integrating relevant offerings that ease journeys.
• Create vibrant experiences tailored to different price points. Crafting lower-budget offerings for more cost-constrained travelers doesn’t need to result in giving them a subpar experience. Capsule hotels, in which guests sleep in small cubbies, began as a response to the high cost of accommodations in Japan, but they have become an attraction in their own right—appearing on many must-do lists. 19 Philip Tang, “24 of the best experiences in Japan,” Lonely Planet, March 23, 2024.

The places you’ll go: The destinations of the future may not be the ones you imagine

The world’s top ten destination countries (the United States, Spain, China, France, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Italy, Thailand, Japan, and India, in that order) currently receive 45 percent of all travel spending, including for domestic travel. But some new locales are gaining traction (Exhibit 5).

A significant number of travelers are expanding their horizons, booking journeys to less visited countries that are near to old standbys. For instance, Laos and Malaysia, which both border Thailand—an established destination that is home to Bangkok, the world’s most visited city 20 Katherine LaGrave, “This is the world’s most visited city,” AFAR , January 31, 2024. —are up a respective 20 percent and 17 percent, respectively, in year-over-year international travel spending.

The world’s top ten destination countries currently receive 45 percent of all travel spending, including domestic-travel spending. But some new locales are gaining traction.

Several other countries that have crafted thoughtful tourism demand generation strategies—such as Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda, and Vietnam—are also expected to reap benefits in the coming years. Vietnam logged a remarkable 40 percent increase in tourism spending in the five years before the pandemic. Postpandemic, it has rebounded in part by waiving visa requirements for European travelers (while indicating intent to offer similar exemptions in the future for Chinese and Indian travelers). 21 Ashvita Singh, “Vietnam looks to offer visa-free entry to Indians: India report,” Skift, November 20, 2023. The Philippines has made a concerted effort to shift its sun-and-beach branding toward a more well-rounded image, replacing its long-standing “It’s more fun in the Philippines” tourism slogan with “Love the Philippines.” Peru is highlighting less visited archeological sites while also marketing itself as a top-notch culinary destination through the promotion of Peruvian restaurants abroad. Rwanda is investing in infrastructure to become a major African transit hub, facilitated by Qatar Airways’ purchase of a 60 percent stake in the country’s major airport. 22 Dylan Cresswell, “Rwanda plots ambitious tourism recovery,” African Business , July 28, 2022. Rwanda has also successfully capitalized on sustainable tourism: by charging $1,500 per gorilla trekking permit, for instance, it has maximized revenue while reducing environmental impact.

Tourism players might consider taking some of these actions to lure tourists to less familiar destinations:

• Collaborate across the tourism ecosystem. Promotion is not solely the domain of destination marketing organizations. Accommodation, transportation, and experience providers can also play important roles. In Singapore, for instance, the luxury resort Marina Bay Sands partners extensively with Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board to offer compelling tourism offerings. Past collaborations have included flight and stay packages built around culinary festivals and a Lunar New Year drone show. 23 “Singapore Tourism Board, Marina Bay Sands & UOB partner to enliven Marina Bay precinct,” Singapore Tourism Board news release, January 25, 2024.
• Use infrastructure linkage to promote new destinations. By extending route options, transportation providers can encourage visitors to create itineraries that combine familiar destinations with new attractions. In Asia, Thailand’s tourism authority has attempted to nudge visitors away from the most heavily trafficked parts of the country, such as Bangkok and Phuket, and toward less popular destinations.
• Deploy social media to reach different demographics. Innovative social media campaigns can help put a destination on the map. Australia launched its “Ruby the kangaroo” campaign in China to coincide with the return of postpandemic air capacity between the two places. A video adapted for Chinese context (with appropriate gestures and a hashtag in Mandarin) garnered more than 20 million views in a single day on one of China’s largest social media platforms. 24 Nicole Gong, “Can Ruby the kangaroo bring Chinese tourists hopping back to Australia?,” SBS, June 5, 2023.
• Embrace unknown status. “Off the beaten path” messaging can appeal to widely traveled tourists seeking fresh experiences. Saudi Arabia’s “#WhereInTheWorld” campaign promoted the country’s tourist spots by acknowledging that they are less familiar to travelers, using a series of images that compared these spots with better-known destinations.

As tourism stakeholders look to the future, they can take steps to ensure that they continue to delight existing travelers while also embracing new ones. Domestic and intraregional tourism remain major opportunities—catering to local tourists’ preferences while building infrastructure that makes travel more seamless within a region could help capture them. Creative collaboration among tourism stakeholders can help put lesser-known destinations on the map. Travel tides are shifting. Expertly navigating these currents could yield rich rewards.

Caroline Tufft is a senior partner in McKinsey’s London office, Margaux Constantin is a partner in the Dubai office, Matteo Pacca is a senior partner in the Paris office, Ryan Mann is a partner in the Chicago office, Ivan Gladstone is an associate partner in the Riyadh office, and Jasperina de Vries is an associate partner in the Amsterdam office.

The authors wish to thank Abdulhadi Alghamdi, Alessandra Powell, Alex Dichter, Cedric Tsai, Diane Vu, Elisa Wallwitz, Lily Miller, Maggie Coffey, Nadya Snezhkova, Nick Meronyk, Paulina Baum, Peimin Suo, Rebecca Stone, Sarah Fellay, Sarah Sahel, Steffen Fuchs, Steffen Köpke, Steve Saxon, Sophia Wang, and Urs Binggeli for their contributions to this article.

This article was edited by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in the New York office.

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Egypt Tourism Revenues

Tourism revenues in egypt increased to 13.60 usd billion in 2023 from 10.70 usd billion in 2022. tourism revenues in egypt averaged 8.60 usd billion from 2010 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 13.60 usd billion in 2023 and a record low of 3.80 usd billion in 2016. source: central bank of egypt, tourism revenues in egypt is expected to reach 20.00 usd billion by the end of 2024, according to trading economics global macro models and analysts expectations. in the long-term, the egypt tourism revenues is projected to trend around 25.00 usd billion in 2025, according to our econometric models.,   markets,   gdp,   labour,   prices,   money,   trade,   government,   business,   consumer,   taxes,   climate.

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Egyptian Streets

Independent Media

Egypt’s Population Growth Rate Declines to 1.4 Percent Over Four Years

By Enjy Akram

Egypt’s population growth rate has dropped from 1.9 percent in 2019 to 1.4 percent in 2023, revealed Mohamed El-Homsani, a spokesperson for the Egyptian cabinet, on Sunday. El-Homsani attributed this decrease to the success of various governmental initiatives, particularly the National Project for Development of the Egyptian Family (NPDEF).

Launched in February 2022 , NPDEF is a development project that aims to curb population growth by providing comprehensive health services, implementing family planning initiatives, and addressing the economic impacts of overpopulation. This integrated approach ensures a holistic solution to the overpopulation crisis, aiming to improve overall wellbeing, manage population growth, and support economic stability.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting on Sunday with several ministers and officials to review the implementation and outcomes of the NPDEF in Cairo.

El-Homsani noted that the meeting disclosed a significant reduction in the crude birth rate, which fell from 24.6 births per thousand in 2018 to 19.4 births by the end of 2023. Additionally, the number of births in the first quarter of the current year decreased to 491.8 thousand by the end of March, a 3.5 percent decline from 509.5 thousand during the same period in 2023.

The meeting also highlighted other statistics, such as the provision of family planning and reproductive health services in remote, informal, and lesser-income areas, benefiting 4.4 million. These services were extended through governmental outlets to 23 million people.

Furthermore, 102 family planning clinics were established in partnership with civil society, with equipment provided for 13 clinics. Almost 520 thousand women visited these clinics, resulting in 400 thousand  adopting contraceptive methods. 

Another key metric discussed was the decrease in the crude death rate in 2023, which has improved compared to 2018 and 2019 due to enhanced healthcare services provided through presidential initiatives.

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• Monday, 03 June 2024

Egypt’s population growth rate drops to 1.4 percent in four years: Gov’t spox

Ahram online , sunday 2 jun 2024.

Egypt's population growth rate dropped from 1.9 percent in 2019 to 1.4 percent in 2023, according to cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsani on Sunday.

El-Homsani highlighted the impact of official initiatives, notably the National Project for Development of the Egyptian Family “NPDEF”. 

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Sunday with some ministers and officials to follow up on implementing the NDPEF in Cairo and assess its outcome.

According to El-Homsani, the meeting also revealed that the crude birth rate decreased from 24.6 births per thousand population in 2018 to 19.4 births by the end of 2023.

Additionally, the number of births in the first quarter of the current year decreased to 491.8 thousand births by the end of March, compared to 509.5 thousand births during the same period in 2023, a 3.5 percent decrease.

Another important indicator is the decrease in the crude death rate in 2023, compared to the usual rate in 2018 and 2019 because of improved healthcare provided to citizens through presidential initiatives.

The official spokesperson further explained that several other important indicators and figures were discussed in the meeting.

These included providing family planning and reproductive health services in remote, informal, and deprived areas, which benefited  4.4 million people, and through government service outlets to the benefit of 23 million people.

In addition, the meeting revealed that 102 family planning clinics were established in collaboration with the civil society, with equipment purchased for 13 clinics.

Moreover, El-Homsani stated that almost 520 thousand women have visited family planning clinics and 400 thousand use contraceptive methods. 

He added that almost 79 thousand women benefited from food baskets monthly.

The NPDEF was launched in February 2022 to curb population growth by various means.

The government has stressed the necessity of curbing population growth, which undermines all efforts to achieve economic growth and development.

Egypt's population growth rate

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• Outbound tourism expenditure over imports of services in Egypt 2008-2021
• Number of hotels and similar establishments tourism industry Egypt 2008-2019
• Number of rooms in hotels and similar establishments Egypt 2008-2019
• Hotel room occupancy rate Egypt 2008-2019
• Length of stay of international tourists in commercial accommodations Egypt 2007-2019

Other statistics that may interest you Tourism industry in Egypt

Regional overview

• Premium Statistic Share of travel and tourism in Africa’s GDP 2019 -2023
• Basic Statistic Total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in Africa 2008-2023
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• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist departures in Northern Africa 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in selected African countries 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic African countries with the largest international tourism receipts 2022

Economic contribution

• Basic Statistic Contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in Egypt 2005-2023
• Basic Statistic Value added of travel and tourism to GDP in Egypt 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic Share of domestic and international tourist spending Egypt 2019 and 2022, by origin
• Basic Statistic Share of leisure and business tourist spending Egypt 2019-2022, by segment
• Basic Statistic Tourist expenditure in Egypt 2008-2022
• Basic Statistic Employment impacts of travel and tourism Egypt 2012-2023

Inbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of tourist arrivals Egypt 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of tourist arrivals Egypt 2019-2022, by region of origin
• Premium Statistic Number of nights spent by tourists Egypt 2019-2022, by region of origin
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arriving in Egypt 2022, by means of transportation

Tourism expenditure

• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism expenditure over exports of goods in Egypt 2008-2021
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism expenditure over exports of services in Egypt 2008-2021
• Basic Statistic Outbound tourism expenditure in Egypt 2008-2021
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism expenditure over imports of goods in Egypt 2008-2021
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism expenditure over imports of services in Egypt 2008-2021

Hotel sector

• Premium Statistic Number of hotels and similar establishments tourism industry Egypt 2008-2019
• Premium Statistic Number of rooms in hotels and similar establishments Egypt 2008-2019
• Premium Statistic Hotel room occupancy rate Egypt 2008-2019
• Premium Statistic Length of stay of international tourists in commercial accommodations Egypt 2007-2019

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• Premium Statistic Italy: top 12 regions with the highest expenditure of inbound tourists 2017
• Premium Statistic Average daily expenditure by French residents visiting Spain 2004-2020
• Premium Statistic Per capita daily spend by British tourists in Spain 2010-2020
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• Premium Statistic Italy: daily expenditure of foreign tourists in 2016, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic Italy: daily expenditure of foreign tourists in 2016, by visited region
• Basic Statistic Outbound travel expenditure in Norway 2012-2028
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism expenditure of Portuguese travelers 2010-2021
• Basic Statistic Tourism sector employment contribution in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013
• Basic Statistic Expenses of French tourists staying in France 2011-2027
• Premium Statistic Expenditure of foreigners related to tourism in Germany, by products 2015
• Premium Statistic Leading reasons for going on a retreat during vacation in the U.S. as of April 2017

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• Italy: top 12 regions with the highest expenditure of inbound tourists 2017
• Average daily expenditure by French residents visiting Spain 2004-2020
• Per capita daily spend by British tourists in Spain 2010-2020
• Average daily tourist expenditure in Paris in 2014, by domestic and foreign
• Italy: daily expenditure of foreign tourists in 2016, by country of origin
• Italy: daily expenditure of foreign tourists in 2016, by visited region
• Outbound travel expenditure in Norway 2012-2028
• Outbound tourism expenditure of Portuguese travelers 2010-2021
• Tourism sector employment contribution in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013
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Most Dangerous Countries for Women 2024

South Africa and Brazil top the list due to extremely high rates of violence against women, including sexual violence and intentional homicide.

Russia and Mexico are notably dangerous due to high intentional homicide rates against women and significant limitations on women's societal and economic participation.

Iran's prominent place on the list is largely attributed to its vast gender gap, impacting women's roles in the economy, health, and political empowerment.

According to the Travel Industry Association, about 32 million American women travel solo in a year. Whether traveling alone or in a group, safety is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, many countries around the world are dangerous for female travelers. Some highly-publicized incidents, such as the 26-year-old German backpacker who was brutally murdered in Thailand or the two Scandinavian women beheaded in Morocco have exemplified the dangers that women face when traveling abroad in certain countries.

In an attempt to determine which countries are the most dangerous for female travelers, husband and wife journalists Asher and Lyric Fergusson studied and ranked the 50 most popular tourist countries. Their Women’s Danger Index ranked each country based on eight factors: street safety for wojmen, intentional homicide of women, non-partner sexual violence, intimate partner sexual violence, legal discrimination, global gender gap, gender inequality index, and violence against women attitudes.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries for Solo Female Travelers:

South Africa is the most dangerous country in the world for solo female travelers. Only 25% of South African women said they felt safe walking alone at night, the lowest of any country. South Africa is notorious for sexual violence. It is estimated that over 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime. Additionally, South Africa ranked the worst for the intentional homicide of women. South Africa was the only country to receive an “F” on the index.

Brazil ranks as the second-most dangerous country for women. Only 28% of women reported feeling safe walking alone at night and the country has the third-highest rate of intentional homicide against women. Brazil also ranked sixth for the percentage of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence from their intimate partners at 36.9%. Russia has the second-highest rate of intentional homicide against women, which is the biggest reason for its third-place spot on the list. Russia also ranks as one of the top ten countries to have laws and regulations that limit women’s ability to participate in society and economy.

Mexico ranks fourth overall for the most dangerous countries for women, as well as ranking fourth for the percentage of women who feel safe walking at night and for intentional homicide against women. Only about 33% of women in Mexico reported feeling safe walking alone at night. Additionally, Mexico ranks third for non-partner sexual violence, which about 16% of women experience. Iran ’s place on the most dangerous country list is largely due to its first-place ranking for the gender gap. This index measures disparities between men and women in economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment. Additionally, Iran ranked third for legal discrimination against women.

The Dominican Republic has the fifth-lowest percentage of women who feel safe walking alone at night, at 33%, and the fifth-highest rate of intentional homicide against women. The Dominican Republic also ranks sixth for gender inequality, which measures health, empowerment, and the labor market. Egypt is the seventh-most dangerous country for female travelers. Egypt has the fourth-highest global gender gap and the seventh-highest gender inequality. Only 47% of women reported feeling safe walking alone at night. Additionally, Egypt ranks sixth for laws and regulations that limit women’s ability to participate in society and the economy.

About 45% of Moroccan women experience physical or sexual violence from their intimate partner, the highest percentage on the list. About 32% of women agree that violence against women is justified under certain circumstances, the tenth-highest of the countries ranked. Additionally, Morocco ranks tenth for legal discrimination against women. As the ninth-most dangerous country for women, India ranks fifth for intimate partner violence, which is 37.2%. According to the gender inequality index, India ranks first. About 45% of Indian women surveyed agreed that a husband or partner is justified in beating their wife or partner under certain circumstances. Finishing the top ten most dangerous countries for women is Thailand. Thailand ranks second for intimate partner violence, which about 44% of women reported. Additionally, about 61% of women agreed that violence against women is justified under certain circumstances, the highest among the 50 countries studied.

On the opposite end, the following ten countries are the safest for women: Spain , Singapore , Ireland , Austria , Switzerland , Norway , Portugal , Croatia , Canada , and Poland .

• In the 2023 Women, Peace and Security Index (WPSI), lower scores indicate greater danger. The WPSI is compiled by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS).
• In the 2019 Women's Danger Index (WDI), higher scores indicate greater danger. The WDI is compiled from eight sub-metrics, whose scores are listed after the compiled total. The WDI was initially compiled by the travel website Asher & Lyric.

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Which country is the least safe for women?

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• The 50 Worst (& Safest) Countries For Solo Female Travel - Asher & Lyric
• Most Dangerous Places For Women Travelers - Forbes

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May 24, 2024 Israel-Hamas war

By Chris Lau, Sana Noor Haq and Christian Edwards, Elise Hammond, Matt Meyer and Tori B. Powell, CNN

International pressure on Israel ramps up after top UN court orders operations to halt in Rafah. What to know

From CNN staff

The United Nations' top court on Friday ordered Israel to stop its military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah — something Israel has signaled it will not do.

The order, which calls on Israel to submit a progress report within a month, further increases international pressure on Israel over its handling of the war with Hamas.

The order was condemned by Israeli officials.

Here's what else to know:

• ICJ ruling:  The  International Court of Justice (ICJ ) ordered Israel to immediately halt its controversial military operation in Rafah after South Africa filed an urgent request on May 10 for additional measures in its genocide case against Israel, accusing it of using forced evacuation orders to "endanger rather than protect civilian life." Catch up on what we know here .
• Reaction: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a call with his war cabinet after the order was announced. In a joint statement, the National Security Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel “has not carried out and will not carry out military activity in the Rafah area that creates living conditions that could lead to the destruction of the Palestinian civilian population.” South Africa praised the ruling, with Zane Dangor, the director of its department for international relations, calling it a “de facto” call for a ceasefire. Hamas also approved the court’s decision. 
• Hostage deal talks: An Israeli delegation will travel to Paris soon, an Israeli official told CNN. That's where the latest ceasefire talks are taking place , a US official told CNN, though the Israeli official did not confirm the exact reason for the trip. It comes as CIA Director Bill Burns  was in Europe to try to get the ceasefire and hostage deal back on track. US President Joe Biden also spoke with his Egyptian counterpart  on Friday.
• Military operations in northern Gaza: At least five Palestinians were killed on Thursday by an Israeli airstrike on al-Zaytoun, in Gaza City, according to local officials. Further north, two “huge airstrikes” hit Jabalya on Friday, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense said. Footage posted online showed entire walls blasted from the shelling of the Falluja block in the Jabalya camp. At least 57 people were killed across Gaza in the past 24 hours, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said.
• Hostages found in Gaza:  The Israel Defense Forces and the ISA, Israel's domestic security agency, said they identified the bodies of  three hostages  — Hanan Yablonka, 42, Michel Nisenbaum, 59 and French-Mexican national Orion Hernandez-Radoux, 30 — in Jabalya. They were killed by Hamas in the October 7 attacks and their bodies were carried into the enclave, according to the military. 
• Humanitarian aid: French President Emmanuel Macron discussed potential ways to reopen all land crossings into Gaza with visiting Arab foreign ministers   to ensure the flow of much-needed humanitarian aid, his government said Friday. The foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia were in Paris for talks on the situation in Gaza.

UN Security Council calls for better protection of humanitarian workers in Gaza

From CNN's Richard Roth, Jeremy Diamond and Eyad Kourdi

The 15-member United Nations Security Council, led by Switzerland and supported by over 90 nations, passed a resolution Friday emphasizing the need for increased safety and security of humanitarian workers in Gaza, particularly those who were recruited locally and face significant risks.

The resolution, adopted by 14 countries with Russia abstaining, expresses "deep concern" about the aid workers' vulnerability and urges "concerted efforts and concrete risk mitigation strategies."

UN relief chief Martin Griffiths welcomed the decision and highlighted the severe impact of Israel's military operations in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah.

“The ground incursion in Rafah has displaced more than 800,000 people, fleeing once again in fear for their lives and arriving in areas without adequate shelter, latrines, and clean water,” Griffiths said in a written statement Friday. 

“With today’s adoption of Security Council Resolution 2730 calling for the protection of humanitarian workers and the International Court of Justice’s order to open the Rafah crossing to provide aid at scale and stop the military offensive there, this is a moment of clarity,” Griffiths added, alluding to a Friday ruling from the world court .

Staff from hospital in northern Gaza refuse to leave remaining patients despite Israeli military activity

From CNN's Kareem Khadder, Sarah El Sirgany, Abdel Qadder Sabbah and Sana Noor Haq

Two of the remaining hospitals in northern Gaza remain under Israeli siege, according to staff from the medical centers.

On Friday morning, Israeli military vehicles at the northern gate of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia prevented ambulances from reaching the hospital, according to the remaining medical staff inside.  

The medical center has been providing basic services for a couple of days, the staff said. Due to strikes at the hospital earlier this week, patients from Kamal Adwan Hospital were transferred out of the facility for care, according to the staff.

The Israeli military forced most medical staff at Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalya to leave on May 22, according to the hospital's director. Dr. Mohammed Salha warned on Friday he and other colleagues were still inside the facility because they could not leave 11 vulnerable patients and two of their companions. 

"They forced the staff and other patients and their companions to evacuate. But I insisted to stay with them, I can’t leave the patients in the hospital without taking care of them or without ambulances to pick them up," Salha said in a message shared with CNN by a colleague. 

The latest death toll: At least 57 people were killed across Gaza in the past 24 hours, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said on Friday. At least 35,857 have been killed in Gaza since the October 7 attack, according to the ministry, with 80,293 more injured. 

CNN cannot verify the ministry’s numbers due to lack of international media access to the strip.

International leaders react to ICJ order for Israel to halt military operations in Rafah

From CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali and Kareem Khadder

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to immediately cease its controversial military operations in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip.

The ruling has drawn reaction from governments and agencies around the globe: 

• Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it "welcomes the decision."
• Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICJ move "exposes Israel’s war crimes in Gaza." He said in a statement that "the Israeli Government reacts with disdain to international law, refusing to heed the Court’s orders. The Security Council must shoulder its responsibility, put an end to Israel’s impunity, and address double standards in enforcing international law.”
• The Egyptian Foreign Ministry   called on Israel to commit to its obligations under The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
• Human Rights Watch said "the ICJ's order underlines the gravity of the situation in Gaza, where civilians are facing famine. Yet the Israeli government continues to flout the World Court’s binding orders by obstructing the entry of lifesaving aid and services.”
• Amnesty International said "Israel must comply" with the order, in a statement from the group's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Heba Morayef.
• Palestinian National Initiative 's Secretary General Mustafa Barghouti called for sanctions to be imposed immediately on Israel "to force it to implement the decisions of international courts and to allow the International Court of Justice investigation team to investigate the crime of genocide."

Israel says it has not carried out actions in Rafah that could lead to the destruction of Palestinian population

From CNN's Lauren Izso and Catherine Nicholls

Israel has not and will not carry out military activity in Rafah "that creates living conditions that could lead to the destruction of the Palestinian civilian population," a joint statement by the country's National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

The statement follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that ordered Israel to "immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part."

The order was read out after a request by South Africa, which has accused Israel of conducting genocide in Gaza.

The Israeli statement called these accusations "false, outrageous, and disgusting." It claimed that Israel's actions in Gaza are part of a "just defensive war to eliminate the Hamas organization and free our hostages" following the October 7 terror attack.

In response to other orders by the ICJ, including keeping the Rafah border crossing open, the statement said that Israel will "continue its efforts to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip" and "reduce as much as possible the harm to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip."

Remember: More than a million Palestinians — many displaced by Israel's military campaign elsewhere in Gaza — were taking shelter in Rafah before Israeli forces began their operation in the southernmost city. Gazans say they have nowhere left to go .

Meanwhile, Israel's closure of the Rafah border crossing has deepened its already tight siege on desperately needed food and humanitarian aid .

Biden and Egyptian president agree to send aid through Kerem Shalom crossing temporarily

From CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and US President Joe Biden agreed to facilitate humanitarian aid and fuel delivery to the United Nations at the Kerem Shalom crossing on a temporary basis until a legal mechanism is established to reopen the Rafah border crossing into Gaza from the Palestinian side, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. 

In a phone call Friday, Biden expressed appreciation for Egypt's efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire and truce agreement, according to the statement.

A White House readout said Biden also welcomed Egypt's commitment. "This will help save lives," the statement said.

Both leaders underscored the necessity of intensifying international efforts to achieve a breakthrough in negotiations, the Egyptian presidency said.

Biden also agreed to send a senior team to Cairo next week for further discussions on efforts to reopen the Rafah crossing.

CNN's Priscilla Alvarez contributed reporting to this post.

Israel claims destruction at West Bank refugee camp was due to "terrorist organizations" operating there

From CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq and Larry Register

Israel has responded to comments from the head of a United Nations agency highlighting destruction in the West Bank , claiming it encountered ammunition stockpiles and roadside explosives in the devastated refugee camp of Nour Shams.

The Israel Defense Forces said it dismantled dozens of explosives and found "noteworthy stockpiles of life-threatening ammunition" in civilian buildings at Nour Shams. The IDF also claimed "terrorist operatives and organized terrorist forces" in West Bank refugee camps operate out of civilian buildings and use civilian infrastructure.

The military blamed the damage to civilian infrastructure on the "terror organization's exploitation" of those buildings, and claimed it tried to keep damage "to the bare minimum."

What the UN agency said: Philippe Lazzarini, who leads the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said his staff described intense destruction after visiting the refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank.

"What was once a bustling area with markets and life lays in destruction now," Lazzarini said. He said buildings and roads are destroyed, and water and electricity networks are dismantled following the IDF operation.

The agency head said "another war goes unnoticed" in the West Bank, as focus remains on the Israeli bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza.

More background: Violence and destruction by extremist settlers and the IDF in the West Bank — long a reality for Palestinians in the occupied territory — has surged during the current war in Gaza.

Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 518 Palestinians, including 129 children, in the occupied West Bank since October 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah.

CNN's Kareem Khadder and Sana Noor Haq contributed reporting to this post.

At least 5 Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrike in Gaza City neighborhood, according to local authorities

From CNN’s Kareem Khadder, Sarah El Sirgany, Abdel Qadder Sabbah and Sana Noor Haq

At least five Palestinians were killed on Thursday by an Israeli airstrike on al-Zaytoun, in Gaza City, according to local officials.      

Several other people were injured by the assault on the northern Gaza neighborhood, which struck just before midnight, the spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense told CNN. One child is still unaccounted for, Mahmoud Bassal said. CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment. 

Further north, two “huge airstrikes” hit Jabalya at around 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time on Friday, Bassal said. The Israel Defense Forces said it launched an “operation” with “intense combat” in Jabalya overnight, claiming to have "eliminated dozens of terrorists."  

The IDF and the ISA, Israel's domestic security agency, said Friday they recovered the bodies of  three hostages  taken by Hamas, in Jabalya. 

Scene on the ground: Gaza's Civil Defense teams could not reach the area, according to Bassal. Israel's offensive in the enclave has razed neighborhoods and battered  key roads  rendering parts of  the north  largely inaccessible to local crews and humanitarian agencies trying to aid Palestinians.

A CNN stringer on the ground filmed dozens of people fleeing a school-turned-shelter in the Falluja neighborhood, west of Jabalya. Other footage posted online of the aftermath showed entire walls blasted from the shell of the Falluja block in the Jabalya camp.

The makeshift medical unit in the area was receiving the dead and the injured, but the staff there are only able to provide advanced first aid. Two of the remaining hospitals in the north are under Israeli siege.

Benjamin Brown contributed reporting to this post.

CIA director meeting with Israeli and Qatari officials Friday

From CNN's Alex Marquardt

CIA Director Bill Burns is meeting with Mossad Director David Barnea and the Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani on Friday, according to a US official.

The latest ceasefire talks are taking place in Paris, a second official familiar with the discussions tells CNN.

It is unclear whether the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, will participate in the meeting, as he has in the past. The “quad,” as it’s known, has previously met in Paris.

Some background: This week, Egypt threatened to withdraw from acting as a mediator in the ceasefire and hostage talks following  CNN reporting that Egyptian intelligence quietly changed the terms of a ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed off on earlier this month.

“The ongoing attempts to cast doubt and insult the Egyptian mediation efforts and roles, with allegations that contradict reality, will only lead to further complicating the situation in Gaza and the entire region, and may push the Egyptian side to take a decision to withdraw completely from their mediation role in the current conflict,” the head of Egypt’s State Information Services, Diaa Rashwan, previously said in a statement.

The same US official on Thursday emphasized that Egypt is still involved, saying, “Both Egypt and Qatar are very engaged, as are the Israelis.”

US President Joe Biden is also speaking with his Egyptian counterpart on Friday, according to a source.

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