Egypt is ramping up efforts to welcome Chinese travelers as part of its goal to raise annual tourist arrivals from the current 19 million to an ambitious 100 million, aiming to boost foreign currency earnings for its developing economy.
For Chinese tourists already visiting Egypt's ancient temples and historical monuments, the country's history and culture have provided a rich experience.
"We visited the Pyramids, which are magnificent, impressive and rich in history. We also visited the museums, which are very fascinating. This is a place with profound history and culture. I like Egypt very much and wanted to experience the local culture and customs," said Zhan, a Chinese tourist.
In 2025, Egypt's tourism revenue reached 16.7 billion U.S. dollars, contributing 3.7 percent to the country's GDP.
Official data shows that approximately 350,000 Chinese tourists visited Egypt in 2025. While most tourists to Egypt are from Europe and the Arab region, the Egyptian government has recently introduced incentives to boost arrivals from China.
"The Egyptian visa now could be obtained from any port of entry and this is a big facility enabling any tourist to jump on the flight and come and get his experience. Also, the packages are quite affordable in return to what the tourist is getting, in return for the experience," said Ghada Shalaby, former Egyptian Vice Minister of Tourism.
Local tourism services are also improving. Tour guides noted that language support has expanded as major universities establish dedicated Chinese-language learning centers, enhancing travel convenience for Chinese visitors.
"The number of Egyptians who can speak Chinese here has increased significantly because multiple language centers have opened. In the past, there were few centers, including programs at Aswan University, Ain Shams University, and Cairo University. These specialized centers make traveling much more convenient for Chinese tourists," said Ayman Mahmoud, a local tour guide.
The guide added that promotional efforts remain a challenge, particularly in leveraging social media platforms to reach Chinese travelers.
"For instance, there might be a lack of effective advertising. The market demand in Egypt is strong, but Chinese travelers rely increasingly on social media," Mahmoud said.
Egypt targets 100 mln visitors annually to boost tourism revenues
