
Egypt aims for 30mln tourists annually as U Hotels expands in Alexandria
Egypt's tourism sector is ramping up efforts to achieve the Ministry of Tourism's 2030 vision, targeting an annual capacity of 30 million tourists and generating $30bn in revenue.
This ambitious goal is being pursued through strategic expansions in hotel capacity across the country's cities and governorates.
As part of these efforts, U Hotels Management and Tourism Development has inaugurated its latest property, XU San Stefano, a luxury beachfront hotel in Alexandria's prestigious San Stefano district. The first phase of the hotel includes 40 suites, complemented by premium amenities such as the Al Fayrouz Restaurant, a modern reception area, a coffee shop, and a private 100-meter stretch of Mediterranean coastline.
Ehab El Gendy, Chairperson of U Tourism Development and Vice Chairperson of Marseilia Beach, highlighted that XU San Stefano is designed to offer a high-end hospitality experience with diverse accommodation options. He also revealed plans to expand the hotel's capacity by 50%, adding 40 more rooms within the next six months.
El Gendy emphasized that the opening of XU San Stefano reinforces Alexandria's position on Egypt's tourism development map, further establishing the city as a prime Mediterranean destination.
© 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Greece to host Investopia Global
10 June 2025 18:36 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Following the success of the inaugural edition of Investopia Global – Mediterranean, held in Cyprus with strong participation from leaders, ministers, businesspersons, investors, and economic experts from the UAE, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece and Europe, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia, and Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Minister of Tourism, announced the launch of the event's second edition, to be held in Greece next upcoming edition aims to strengthen partnerships across key sectors of the new economy, including tourism, innovation, entrepreneurship, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and food security. The second edition of Investopia Global - Mediterranean will be organised in collaboration with several ministries and government bodies in the UAE and Greece, alongside Investopia partners. The announcement comes as Investopia continues to expand its global footprint and strengthen its presence on both regional and international stages, particularly following the successful organisation of three consecutive editions of Investopia Europe in Milan from 2023 to 2025, before moving to Berlin in June 2026. Bin Touq affirmed that the UAE and Greece share historical and strategic relations across all fields, particularly in the economic and investment sectors. These relations are significantly supported and nurtured by the wise leadership of both friendly countries. The Minister explained that the UAE is keen to continue enhancing cooperation with Greece in advanced and sustainable economic sectors. The Minister of Economy said: "The countries of the Mediterranean region enjoy significant momentum from competitive economic components and promising investment opportunities linked to vital areas, particularly the new economy, tourism, hospitality, entrepreneurship, technology, AI, logistics, healthcare, and renewable energy. We look forward, through the second edition of Investopia Global - Mediterranean, which will be held in Greece next year, to enhancing connectivity between business communities and these future sectors, and creating new investment partnerships at both the governmental and private levels, in line with the latest global trends."Olga Kefalogianni stated that Greece and the UAE share vibrant and expanding economic relations, underpinned by a sustainable and diversified partnership built through joint efforts. She emphasised that hosting the second edition of Investopia Mediterranean in Greece reflects the strength of economic and investment ties between the two friendly event, she noted, will further enhance collaboration between the business communities of both countries and support bilateral cooperation across sectors of mutual interest. Investopia has successfully organised four flagship conferences in the UAE since its inception, along with 16 global editions in various cities around the world. The events brought together over 10,000 participants, including leaders, experts, businessmen, investors, specialists, and entrepreneurs from across the globe, to shape a sustainable economic future, enhance the UAE's position as a leading global investment destination, and create meaningful economic partnerships and promising investment opportunities in sustainable economic sectors such as FinTech, space, aviation technologies, AI, green energy, circular economy, and fashion.


Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Bin Touq, Greek Minister of Tourism announce Greece as host of Investopia Global
10 June 2025 18:36 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Following the success of the inaugural edition of Investopia Global – Mediterranean, held in Cyprus with strong participation from leaders, ministers, businesspersons, investors, and economic experts from the UAE, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece and Europe, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia, and Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Minister of Tourism, announced the launch of the event's second edition, to be held in Greece next year. The upcoming edition aims to strengthen partnerships across key sectors of the new economy, including tourism, innovation, entrepreneurship, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and food second edition of Investopia Global - Mediterranean will be organised in collaboration with several ministries and government bodies in the UAE and Greece, alongside Investopia partners. The announcement comes as Investopia continues to expand its global footprint and strengthen its presence on both regional and international stages, particularly following the successful organisation of three consecutive editions of Investopia Europe in Milan from 2023 to 2025, before moving to Berlin in June Touq affirmed that the UAE and Greece share historical and strategic relations across all fields, particularly in the economic and investment sectors. These relations are significantly supported and nurtured by the wise leadership of both friendly countries. H.E. explained that the UAE is keen to continue enhancing cooperation with its partners in the Greek government in advanced and sustainable economic Minister of Economy said: 'The countries of the Mediterranean region enjoy significant momentum from competitive economic components and promising investment opportunities linked to vital areas, particularly the new economy, tourism, hospitality, entrepreneurship, technology, AI, logistics, healthcare, and renewable energy. We look forward, through the second edition of Investopia Global - Mediterranean, which will be held in Greece next year, to enhancing connectivity between business communities and these future sectors, and creating new investment partnerships at both the governmental and private levels, in line with the latest global trends.'Olga Kefalogianni stated that Greece and the UAE share vibrant and expanding economic relations, underpinned by a sustainable and diversified partnership built through joint efforts. She emphasised that hosting the second edition of Investopia Mediterranean in Greece reflects the strength of economic and investment ties between the two friendly nations. The event, she noted, will further enhance collaboration between the business communities of both countries and support bilateral cooperation across sectors of mutual interest. Investopia has successfully organised four flagship conferences in the UAE since its inception, along with 16 global editions in various cities around the world. The events brought together over 10,000 participants, including leaders, experts, businessmen, investors, specialists, and entrepreneurs from across the globe, to shape a sustainable economic future, enhance the UAE's position as a leading global investment destination, and create meaningful economic partnerships and promising investment opportunities in sustainable economic sectors such as FinTech, space, aviation technologies, AI, green energy, circular economy, and fashion.


Web Release
5 hours ago
- Web Release
EBRD supports Egypt with first private-to-private electricity contracts
Energy market reform is taking a major step forward in Egypt as the government approves the first bilateral power purchase agreements between private generators and consumers. As part of a pilot of the private-to-private (P2P) rules, developed with technical support from the EBRD to the Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency (Egypt ERA) and approved last year, four renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 400 MW have been approved to contract directly with end-consumers of electricity. The four approved projects are: KarmSolar, which will develop a 100 MW solar plant to supply electricity to Suez Steel. AMEA Power, which is building a solar facility of the same size to serve BEFAR Group and the Suez Canal Container Terminal. TAQA PV, which will install 100 MW of hybrid capacity (solar and wind) to power operations at Ezz Steel. Enara, developing a hybrid plant to deliver 100 MW to the El Alamein Silicone Products Company and Helwan Fertilizers. The P2P rules set out the conditions under which generators can use the power grid to sell electricity directly to consumers, a major departure from the existing single-buyer model and a significant step forward in Egypt's efforts to liberalise its electricity market – a goal set out in the 2015 Electricity Law. This approach introduces competition into the electricity sector, expands consumer choice and promotes private investments in renewable energy. It also introduces a path for Egyptian businesses, especially those that are energy-intensive and focused on the export market, to sign agreements directly with renewable energy producers that are increasingly required to prove their low carbon product credentials, for example green hydrogen destined for the European market. Furthermore, given the electricity generation under these contracts will be entirely privately financed, the P2P scheme represents an important route for Egypt to scale up electricity production without the need for government contracts. Mark Davis, the EBRD's managing director for the southern and eastern Mediterranean region, said: 'This milestone shows how the right regulatory framework can unlock private investment and drive the energy transition. By enabling companies to procure green electricity directly from producers, Egypt is opening new opportunities for industry and enhancing its competitiveness. We are proud to have supported EgyptERA in designing this pioneering scheme and will continue working closely as projects move towards implementation.' Dr Mohamed Mousa Omran, the chairman of EgyptERA, said: 'This pilot marks an important step towards a more competitive electricity market in Egypt. By enabling direct agreements between producers and consumers, we are creating space for the private sector to play a greater role in meeting the growing demand for clean energy in Egypt. This is essential for accelerating the deployment of renewables at scale and achieving our long-term energy goals.' The EBRD's technical support is generously funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), a key partner for the Bank in many of its ongoing policy engagements that aim to decarbonise the energy sectors of its countries of operation. This work is being delivered under the EBRD's Renewable Energy Programme, which is currently supporting 16 countries in their development of market-based mechanisms to mobilise private investments. To date, activities under this programme have delivered over 8,500 MW of renewable energy capacity being awarded in 8 countries.