Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, leveraged his visit to the 2025 International Tourism Fair (Fitur) in Madrid to strengthen Egypt’s global tourism connections. His participation highlighted the country’s commitment to expanding its presence in the international tourism market. The discussions held at the event focused on exploring new partnership opportunities and reinforcing ties with key tourism markets, positioning Egypt as a must-visit destination. This initiative is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to enhance its appeal on the global tourism stage.
During the event, Minister Fathy met with key executives from Spanish travel agencies such as Avoris, led by CEO Juan Carlos Gonzalez, and Viajes Carrefour. The focus of these meetings was to increase tourism to Egypt through collaborative promotional campaigns, aimed at boosting the country’s global profile. Viajes Carrefour reported a surge in bookings to Egypt, with between 100 and 150 daily reservations since mid-January. Key topics discussed included the promotion of religious tourism projects, including the Grand Revelation Project, St. Catherine City, and the Holy Family Route, which links historic Christian sites in Egypt. To capitalize on this growing demand, Viajes Carrefour will organize a visit for Spanish travel agents in February to highlight Egypt’s religious tourism offerings and incorporate them into new travel packages.
Avoris also committed to boosting promotional efforts for Egypt in Spain, Mexico, and Colombia. The agency plans to collaborate with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion on joint marketing campaigns for these regions. Additionally, Avoris will arrange a Familiarization Trip (Fam Trip) for travel agents from Mexico and Colombia to introduce them to Egypt’s rich cultural and historical landmarks.
Minister Fathy also held discussions with representatives from leading global tourism companies, including TUI Group, Explora Traveller & Air Cairo, Civitatis, Iberia Express, and Sama Travel & Tourism. These meetings are aimed at diversifying Egypt’s tourism partnerships, expanding charter flight services, and increasing the country’s visibility as a top destination.
A key focus of Egypt’s tourism strategy is promoting religious and spiritual tourism, with projects like the Holy Family Route and St. Catherine City playing a central role in showcasing the country’s Christian heritage. These efforts align with long-term plans to develop niche tourism markets and improve infrastructure to support this growth.
The partnerships forged at Fitur are expected to drive increased tourism from Spain and Latin American countries such as Mexico and Colombia. With tailored marketing campaigns, charter flight services, and collaborative promotions, Egypt aims to remain a top destination for international travelers.
