Cairo: Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy has announced that Egypt's North Coast will be a strategic priority for tourism development in the coming years. Plans are underway to expand existing airports in the region, particularly El Alamein International Airport, and to boost hotel capacity in response to growing tourist demand.

According to State Information Service Egypt, El-Alamein Airport, a modern facility strategically connecting the North Coast to global destinations, is set to play a pivotal role in advancing the State's tourism and investment agenda. In an exclusive interview on Nile News' This Morning program, Fathy expressed that Egypt aims to attract 30 million tourists by 2031 and noted that, based on current development strategies, visitor numbers could surpass this target within the next two years.

Regarding the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the minister noted that no new official date has been set. Although the inauguration was originally scheduled for July 3, it has been postponed to the final quarter of this year. This delay is due to ongoing regional developments and the desire to ensure that the event reflects the significance and grandeur of Egypt's rich cultural heritage.

Fathy also revealed that the Giza Plateau is undergoing extensive infrastructure improvements in preparation for the GEM's opening. These upgrades span a broad area, extending from Sphinx International Airport through Saqqara, and include the development of nearby hotel zones, shopping districts, restaurants, and residential areas, all aimed at creating a fully integrated tourism experience.