The Egyptian resort cities of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh have been recognized as two of the world’s 15 most popular summer destinations for 2025, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s (MEI) Travel Trends 2025 report.
This international ranking underscores Egypt’s thriving tourism sector and the effectiveness of its strategy to diversify its offerings.
Egypt’s tourism focus on sustainable hospitality, wellness experiences, and immersive cultural activities aligns with the evolving expectations of travelers, particularly within the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) region, as highlighted by the MEI report’s analysis of consumer and mobility trends. The report indicates a growing preference for travel experiences centered around nature, relaxation, and gastronomy.
With their renowned historical sites and popular beaches along the Red Sea, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh are proving particularly appealing to tourists from Europe and the Gulf countries. This recognition solidifies their status as leading global destinations for beach tourism.
The MEI report also points to the increasing popularity of wellness tourism, a trend currently led by Namibia and South Africa. However, Egypt is also poised to benefit from this growing market, thanks to its developing infrastructure and expanding range of high-quality hotels and resorts.
In the realm of gastronomy, Egypt’s rapidly evolving culinary scene is beginning to gain international attention. While Istanbul currently dominates this category, Cairo and other Egyptian cities have the potential to capture an increasing share of this dynamic market.
Another significant trend identified in the report is the growth of intra-regional tourism, especially within the Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a leisure hub opens opportunities for stronger tourism cooperation with Egypt, particularly in terms of travel connections and combined tourism packages.
Finally, the report notes a shift in business tourism towards the EEMEA region. Egypt’s strategic geographical location and improving infrastructure position it favorably to attract a greater number of congresses, conferences, and other professional events in the coming years.
SL/te/fss/abj/APA