Egypt and Turkey Plan Joint Tourism Push to Boost Travel Both Ways
Egypt and Turkey are joining forces to boost tourism. Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy announced a new push for two-way travel growth. He made the statement at the EMITT 2026 tourism fair in Istanbul.
The goal is to increase visitor numbers in both directions significantly. Minister Fathy called balanced, two-way travel a necessity. He stated it is the foundation for a sustainable tourism model supported by strong airline networks.
“I want to see more Turkish people coming to Egypt and more Egyptians traveling to Turkey,” Fathy said. However, he noted that current travel volumes remain below their true potential.
Ambitious Growth Targets for 2026
Egypt has set clear goals for the coming year. The country expects at least 10% overall tourism growth in 2026. Specifically, it projects a 25% rise in arrivals from Turkey.
This follows strong growth in 2025. Egypt welcomed 19 million tourists, a 21% increase. Visitors from Turkey rose by an impressive 43%.
However, travel from Egypt to Turkey slightly declined. About 220,924 Egyptians visited Turkey in 2025, down 4.4% from the year before. The new initiative aims to reverse this trend.
Overcoming the Flight Capacity Challenge
A major hurdle is limited airline connectivity. Minister Fathy stressed that seat capacity is restricting faster growth. He estimated a planned 20-25% capacity increase but said it isn’t enough.
“We need to add more flights and increase capacity on existing routes,” he stated. Therefore, he called for joint action by Egyptian and Turkish airlines. This expansion must be sustained over the next five years.
The strategy also includes attracting investment. Fathy encouraged Turkish investors to build hotels and tourism projects in Egypt. The government offers incentives and is open to further support for aligned projects.
Tourism investment in Egypt has already increased by about 60% across 2025 and 2026. This collaboration promises a brighter future for travel between these two historic nations.
