London: Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy continued his series of meetings on the sidelines of his participation in the World Travel Market (WTM 2025) in London on Friday 7/11/2025. He engaged in discussions with the CEO of TUI Group and the CEO of Coral Travel Group, two prominent figures in the global tourism industry.

According to State Information Service Egypt, officials from both companies provided insights into the growth rates of tourist arrivals to Egypt during the current year. The CEO of TUI Group highlighted a 40% increase in tourism to Egypt from the beginning of January to the present. Additionally, he announced the launch of a new floating hotel between Luxor and Aswan, aimed at bolstering Nile cruise tourism. The TUI Group plans to expand tourist flows to include new destinations such as Marsa Alam, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Marsa Matrouh. He also congratulated the Egyptian government on the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, emphasizing its significance in enhancing Egypt's status on the global tourism map.

Minister Fathy reaffirmed the state's dedication to encouraging tourism investments and developing infrastructure in emerging regions. He highlighted ongoing development efforts in the Berenice area, south of Marsa Alam, including its connection to Red Sea cities via new road networks and the link between Berenice Airport and Marsa Alam Airport. The Minister also emphasized initiatives to promote Nile tourism, noting the expansion of floating hotel licenses and the development of docking facilities. He mentioned the increasing popularity of long Nile cruises from Cairo to Aswan, which last 11 days and offer a blend of cultural, spiritual, and heritage experiences through visits to Egypt's archaeological sites.