Egypt and Saudi Arabia Ink Executive Program to Bolster Tourism Cooperation

Landmark Agreement Signed in Riyadh

In a significant move to enhance regional tourism, Egypt and Saudi Arabia formally signed an executive program aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector. The signing ceremony took place on November 10, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly, which was hosted by the Kingdom from November 7-11, 2025.

The agreement was signed by Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, and his Saudi counterpart, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb. This executive program builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously established between the two nations in November 2014, laying a foundation for long-term collaboration in tourism development.

Key Pillars of Cooperation

The newly signed executive program outlines several critical areas for joint efforts, designed to foster sustainable growth and strengthen cultural and economic ties through tourism.

• Joint Tourism Promotion and Marketing: Both countries will collaborate on marketing campaigns to attract more international visitors.
• Professional Training and Capacity Building: Initiatives will focus on enhancing the skills of tourism professionals in both nations.
• Sustainable Tourism Initiatives: A commitment to preserving cultural and natural heritage while promoting environmentally friendly practices is central to the agreement.
• Exchange of Best Practices: Sharing expertise and successful strategies to improve tourism services and infrastructure.
• International and Regional Coordination: The program also provides for coordinated action within regional and international tourism organizations to strengthen strategic collaboration.

Officials from both sides emphasized that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to fostering sustainable growth and enhancing cultural and economic ties through tourism, with an expectation to boost regional coordination in travel and hospitality.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook

Tourism plays a vital role in the economic development of both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Official figures indicate a strong existing tourism relationship; approximately 1.5 million Saudi tourists visited Egypt in 2024, contributing an estimated $1.5 billion to Egypt's economy and accounting for nearly half of all Arab arrivals. In the first half of 2025, the number of Saudi tourists visiting Egypt exceeded 600,000, with projections to reach 900,000 by year-end.

Egypt aims to attract a total of 18 million tourists by the end of 2025, with Saudi tourists expected to comprise 5-7% of this total. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia welcomed 60 million visitors in the first half of 2025, including Egyptian tourists. The new program is expected to further increase the flow of international tourists between the two countries, positioning them as leading global tourism destinations and creating a more seamless and integrated travel experience.