Saudi Arabia is one of the largest Arab markets exporting tourism to Egypt. Indicators show that Saudi tourists constitute a major portion of the total number of visitors coming from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, driven by the expansion of direct flights, the facilitation of visa procedures, and the diversity of the Egyptian tourism product.

Egypt’s Cabinet announced that the country received approximately 3.9 million tourists during the first quarter of 2025, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year.

This reflects the significant growth in the number of Saudis compared to the announced figures. The number of Saudi visitors to Egypt in 2024 is estimated at one million, according to data from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, placing Saudi Arabia at the forefront of Arab markets exporting tourism to Egypt. Based on this rate, the number of Saudi visitors during the first quarter alone is estimated at between 250,000 and 300,000 Saudi tourists, potentially reaching 600,000 Saudi tourists, driven by the expansion of direct air traffic and the diversification of Egyptian tourism products targeting Gulf families.

The total number of tourists is expected to exceed 18 to 20 million visitors by the end of the year, given the continued recovery and return of Gulf and European markets.

Meanwhile, Egypt aims to generate $14 billion in tourism revenue by the end of the year, driven by a series of major projects, most notably the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and the development of airport and road infrastructure in tourist cities such as Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, and New Alamein.

The North Coast—about 300 km northwest of Cairo—along with Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Hurghada top the list of favorite destinations for Saudis, especially during public holidays and the summer season. This coincides with growing interest in medical tourism, leisure tourism, and cultural destinations, in addition to hotel and resort offerings specifically designed for Gulf families.