29th East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition

Building on strong bilateral ties with Türkiye, Egypt returns to EMITT 2026, the 29th East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition, with exceptional momentum. Following a record-breaking year, Egypt welcomed 19 million international visitors in 2025, marking 21% growth—more than four times the global average—and reinforcing its role as a key tourism partner for the Eastern Mediterranean and Eurasian markets. 

“EMITT is an ideal platform to deepen partnerships with Turkish and Eurasian travel partners,” said Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. “With tourism numbers at historic highs, we are ready to work closely with Türkiye to develop new products and experiences that combine Egypt’s history, culture, leisure, adventure, and luxury in truly transformational ways.” 

Egypt’s participation at EMITT 2026 underscores a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across tourism, aviation, and investment, ahead of the upcoming Strategic Cooperation Council meeting. In 2025, Minister Fathy met with Türkiye’s hospitality leaders to discuss resort and hotel investment opportunities, highlighting Egypt’s growing appeal for long-term capital. Turkish visitor numbers increased by 56.5% in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year. 

Tailored Experiences for Turkish Travelers 

Egypt offers a diverse portfolio of travel experiences that strongly appeal to Turkish visitors: 

• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): Opened on 1 November 2025 at the foot of the Giza Pyramids, the GEM offers the first complete public display of Tutankhamun’s collection, 57,000 artifacts, and the monumental statue of Ramses II. A global cultural landmark, it positions Egypt at the forefront of experiential cultural tourism.  
• Shared Cultural Heritage: Explore Cairo’s historic mosques, Islamic architecture, and world-class archaeological sites reflecting centuries of Mediterranean and Ottoman-era connections. Visits to archaeological sites and museums rose 33.5% last year. 
• Urban Life & Gastronomy: Enjoy Cairo’s dynamic arts scene, local markets, and culinary offerings, combining culture and lifestyle familiar to Turkish travelers. 
• Mediterranean & Coastal Leisure: Luxury resorts along the North Coast and Mediterranean coastline provide beach, gastronomy, and lifestyle experiences. 
• Red Sea and Desert Adventure & Wellness: World-renowned diving, snorkeling, wellness retreats and desert oasis appeal to families and active holiday travelers from Türkiye. 
• Spiritual & Faith-Based Journeys: Holy Family Trail and key Islamic heritage sites attract travelers interested in shared religious and cultural heritage. 
• MICE & Business Travel: Modern conference facilities and resort-based infrastructure. 

This breadth enables Turkish operators to design customized itineraries combining culture, leisure, and business, responding to rising demand for immersive travel experiences. 

Connectivity and Performance 

Egypt’s strong performance is fueled by rapidly expanding international connectivity. The number of airline seats and charter flights has increased significantly, outpacing global aviation trends. This enhanced connectivity further cements Egypt’s status as a must-visit destination for cultural, adventure, luxury, and business travelers.    

About the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) 

Established in 1981, the ETA promotes Egypt’s diverse destinations, experiences, and cultural assets. Operating under the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the ETA leads global marketing strategies and supports sustainable tourism development to increase Egypt’s international and domestic visitor footprint.  

For more information, visit https://www.experienceegypt.eg/en

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Born in Cairns (Far North Queensland – Australia) I am the youngest and the only boy of a family of five. My first serious job was as a Salesperson, the announcer, then Production Manager for 4AM. I spent in excess of ten years running my own successful entertainment agency before moving to Melbourne (Victoria – Australia) where I currently live, work and play. A week after arriving I joined the sales team at JOY 94.9fm – what was to be Australia’s first and only dedicated gay and lesbian radio station. I was clearly destined to be self-employed as fate would have it. Q Magazine was born in March 2004 and as they so rightly say ‘the rest is history’.

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