Egypt Breaks Tourism Record With 17 Million Visitors In 2026.

 Egypt has officially broken its tourism record, welcoming over 17 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, surpassing its entire 2023 total. The Ministry of Tourism announced on Tuesday that revenue from tourism has hit $14.2 billion, driven by renewed interest in the Grand Egyptian Museum, which finally opened fully in Cairo in early 2026 after years of delay. The Giza Pyramids, Luxor temples and Red Sea resorts in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are the top destinations. European tourists from Germany, UK and Italy top the list, while African tourists from Nigeria and South Africa increased by 40 percent. Government reforms including e-visa expansion, new airports in the New Administrative Capital and improved security have boosted confidence. EgyptAir has also launched 22 new routes this year. Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy said the country is targeting 20 million visitors by December, creating over 500,000 new jobs in hospitality and transport sectors. Local vendors near the pyramids report bumper sales, though they complain about overcrowding. Egypt hopes tourism will help stabilize its economy amid currency challenges and provide foreign exchange for its growing population.