Latest news with #SherifFathi
Egypt Today
04-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Cairo Airport sees rise in flight activity as TourismMin announces 25% increase in tourists during Q1
Cairo – May 4, 2025: Passenger and flight activity at Cairo International Airport saw notable year-on-year growth in April 2025, signaling continued momentum in Egypt's aviation recovery. A total of 2.62 million travelers passed through the airport during the month, with 18,966 flights handled across arrivals and departures. Outbound traffic included 1.28 million passengers on 9,470 flights, reflecting a 12 percent rise in the number of travelers and an 8 percent increase in flight frequency compared to April 2024. On the inbound side, 1.34 million arriving passengers were recorded across 9,496 flights, with arrival volumes up 7 percent and passenger numbers growing by 8 percent year-on-year. This growth comes amid continued efforts to enhance air services and strengthen connectivity, with Cairo Airport expected to witness further increases in traffic ahead of the Hajj season. The rise in passenger movement also reflects the airport's ongoing infrastructure upgrades and deployment of modern technologies aimed at improving the travel experience. Complementing the rise in air travel, Egypt's tourism sector posted a 25 percent year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, with 3.9 million visitors, according to Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi in an interview last week with Al-Sharq during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The minister announced that 18,000 new hotel rooms are set to be added this year, reinforcing Egypt's push to expand its hospitality capacity. The country received 15.7 million tourists in 2024, up 5 percent from the previous year, despite regional geopolitical challenges that continue to weigh on the tourism sector. Tourism revenues in 2024 neared $16 billion, underscoring the industry's role as a critical source of foreign currency. Fathi also unveiled a new international marketing campaign targeting eight European countries to diversify Egypt's tourist base while preserving its traditional source markets. He projected an additional 8 percent increase in visitors by the end of 2025. Earlier this month, the Tourism Ministry introduced new licensing regulations for 'holiday apartments'—a new model of accommodation—aimed at accommodating growing demand. Egypt aims to double its tourist arrivals to 30 million by 2030 and raise annual tourism revenues to $24 billion, up from approximately $15 billion today. To support this vision, the country plans to add over 200,000 hotel rooms within the next 3 to 4 years, increasing total capacity from the current 230,000 rooms. These expansions are part of a broader national strategy to strengthen tourism infrastructure, improve the quality of services, and tap into new international markets.
Daily News Egypt
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily News Egypt
Grand Egyptian Museum launches ‘GEM Talks' series: New chapter in cultural dialogue
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has inaugurated its 'GEM Talks' series—an ambitious initiative designed to position the museum as a hub for cultural dialogue, intellectual exchange, and creative exploration. The series aims to provide a dynamic platform for discussions on heritage, civilization, archaeology, and the intersection of culture with contemporary innovation. Sherif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, underscored that the launch of 'GEM Talks' aligns with the museum's broader mission to serve as a center for education and cultural engagement. 'This initiative reflects the GEM's commitment to preserving our heritage while connecting the past, present, and future,' he said. The 'GEM Talks' series will encompass a variety of formats—including lectures, panel discussions, and interactive debates—designed to spark curiosity and attract a diverse audience. The initiative is envisioned as a long-term cultural program that will bring thought leaders, scholars, artists, and the public together to explore pressing themes in heritage and beyond. Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, described the series as a pivotal step in the museum's evolution. 'The GEM is not just a showcase of Egypt's ancient treasures—it is a living, breathing space for dialogue and reflection,' he said. 'Through this series, we are creating an inclusive forum where diverse voices can engage with the richness of our shared cultural legacy.' The inaugural talk featured renowned cultural figure and global thought leader Dr. Ismail Serageldin, who delivered a keynote address on creativity, the evolving role of museums, and the impact of artificial intelligence on artistic and cultural expression. He also explored how digital innovation can enhance the visitor experience, positioning museums as interactive and forward-looking institutions. The event drew a distinguished audience, including foreign ambassadors, former ministers, public figures, and cultural enthusiasts, all gathered to celebrate this new direction for the GEM. Their enthusiastic reception reflects the museum's growing role as a leader in Egypt's cultural and intellectual life. With 'GEM Talks,' the Grand Egyptian Museum is reaffirming its role not only as a guardian of antiquity but as a vibrant forum for contemporary cultural thought. The series is set to become a cornerstone of Egypt's cultural calendar, fostering deeper engagement with the country's heritage while encouraging dialogue that resonates both locally and globally.
Daily News Egypt
03-05-2025
- Daily News Egypt
Major archaeological discoveries in Sinai reveal layers of Egypt's ‘Eastern Fortresses'
Excavations at the Tel Abu Seifi site in North Sinai have uncovered extensive remains of ancient military fortifications, soldiers' quarters, a wide paved road, and a large moat—offering new insights into the strategic role of Sinai as Egypt's eastern defensive frontier across successive eras. The discoveries were made by an Egyptian archaeological mission affiliated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Preliminary findings suggest the possible existence of a third, previously unknown fortress at the site, predating both the Ptolemaic and Roman fortresses already identified. Sherif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, hailed the findings as a breakthrough in understanding Egypt's eastern military defences during the Greco-Roman period. He described Tel Abu Seifi as a long-standing military and industrial center whose significance evolved over time. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the discoveries help redraw Egypt's ancient eastern defence map. 'Sinai has always been Egypt's eastern gateway and first line of defence,' he said. He added that the mission unearthed distinctive architectural elements of the eastern gates belonging to the Ptolemaic and Roman fortresses, which will allow historians to reimagine ancient military entryways more accurately. Among the most notable finds is a deep defensive moat—over two meters in depth—at the entrance to the Ptolemaic fortress. Researchers believe it formed part of a broader protective system activated in times of threat. Mohamed Abdel-Badi', Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the team also uncovered a wide limestone-paved road, measuring 11 meters in width and extending more than 100 meters from the eastern gate of the Roman fortress into the heart of the site. Beneath this lies an older, Ptolemaic-era road made from similar materials, suggesting continuity in site planning across centuries. On either side of the road, archaeologists found more than 500 clay planting circles—likely used for cultivating trees that once lined the fortress's grand entrance during the Ptolemaic period. Additionally, well-preserved Roman-era soldiers' dwellings were unearthed, offering rare glimpses into daily life at the fortress during the reigns of Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. The site also revealed four large kilns used for producing quicklime, confirming the site's transformation into an industrial hub in the late Roman period—an expansion that ultimately led to the destruction of earlier stone structures. Dr. Hisham Hussein, Head of the archaeological mission and Director-General of the General Administration of Sinai Antiquities, noted the discovery of another moat, likely linked to an earlier fortress. The four corners of this structure have been identified, and work is underway to determine its precise age. Excavators also uncovered overlapping layers of rectangular residential buildings from the Ptolemaic period, indicating extended occupation. Once a key stronghold, Tel Abu Seifi rose in strategic importance following shifts in the Nile's course and the retreat of the coastline, which led to the decline of nearby Tel Habuwa (the ancient city of Tharu). The latest discoveries further reinforce Tel Abu Seifi's pivotal role in Egypt's military history and its enduring significance in understanding life and defence strategies in the Sinai Peninsula.
Trade Arabia
29-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
UAE investments in Egypt's tourism model partnerships: Minister
Sherif Fathi, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism, stated that Emirati investments in Egypt's tourism sector serve as a successful paradigm for public-private partnerships (PPP) between the two nations. Highlighting the significance of recent investments, particularly the Ras El Hekma project, he emphasised their crucial addition to existing ventures and asserted that these collaborations underscore the substantial confidence in the Egyptian tourism market. Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai, the Minister said that Egypt's tourism sector demonstrated robust performance in 2024, achieving an approximate growth rate of 6% with approximately 15.8 million tourist arrivals, despite regional challenges encountered throughout the previous year. He further noted the positive trajectory of the Egyptian tourism sector in light of regional circumstances, with Egypt targeting an elevated growth rate for 2025. He also indicated that the first quarter of the current year witnessed a 25% growth compared to the corresponding period last year, attributing this increase to the continuation of the positive momentum observed in the final quarter of 2024.
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Emirati investments in Egypt's tourism sector represent model for PPP: Minister
DUBAI: Sherif Fathi, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism, stated that Emirati investments in Egypt's tourism sector serve as a successful paradigm for public-private partnerships between the two nations. Highlighting the significance of recent investments, particularly the Ras El Hekma project, he emphasised their crucial addition to existing ventures and asserted that these collaborations underscore the substantial confidence in the Egyptian tourism market. Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai, the Minister said that Egypt's tourism sector demonstrated robust performance in 2024, achieving an approximate growth rate of 6% with approximately 15.8 million tourist arrivals, despite regional challenges encountered throughout the previous year. He further noted the positive trajectory of the Egyptian tourism sector in light of regional circumstances, with Egypt targeting an elevated growth rate for 2025. He also indicated that the first quarter of the current year witnessed a 25% growth compared to the corresponding period last year, attributing this increase to the continuation of the positive momentum observed in the final quarter of 2024.
