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Although travel to the entire Middle East continues to face severe disruptions following the joint US-Israeli strike on Iran, long-term tourism interest in Egypt is attracting the attention of both airlines and hotel operators.
In 2025, the North African country will see a record 19 million tourists, alongside Morocco and South Africa as the most visited countries in Africa.
The Egyptian government recently Visa on arrival cancelled Fees for tourists from dozens of countries, the national carrier EgyptAir recently received permission from the Ministry of Transport to operate new flights to Los Angeles and Chicago from Cairo on an Airbus A350-900 by the end of 2026.
On the hospitality front, luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental has now also committed to opening two additional five-star resorts to its Egyptian portfolio. Mandarian Oriental will take over management of the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor from rival hotel chain Sofitel in 2026 and 2027.
Mandarin Oriental will take over management of hotels in Luxor and Aswan from Sofitel
The last hotel overlooking the Nile and Luxor Temple complex was built in 1886, and as part of the move to the Mandarin Oriental Collection, it will undergo a complete renovation. Before reopening for the summer travel period In 2027.
The hotel group is also choosing to launch its expansion on river cruises from Egypt with three-, four- and seven-night itinerary options between Aswan and Luxor.
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Details of everything from the time frame to the vessel used are still scant, but Mandarin’s plan is to create a link between its various properties and market an extravagant cruise along the Nile to travelers.
This also comes amid the ongoing redevelopment of the newly purchased Mandarin Oriental Shepheard hotel in Cairo for its reopening in 2027.
Sofitel
“Egypt is one of the world’s fastest growing destinations”: Mandarin Oriental
“Egypt is one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations and represents a rare opportunity to create a culturally rich and unique journey at Mandarin Oriental,” Laurent Kleitmann, CEO of Mandarin Oriental, said in a statement.
The company has also described its Egyptian river cruise plans as an attempt “to form a fully integrated, destination-led journey between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.”
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Mandarin Oriental does not currently have any properties in Egypt, so the three new hotels represent a landmark First head jump to expand on it country as quickly as possible, as competitors are also rushing to do the same.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is also expanding its Egyptian portfolio with a new 130-room Hotel Indigo in New Cairo scheduled to open in 2031, while new Four Seasons hotels in New Cairo and Luxor are also nearing completion.
It is too early to say how much tourism will suffer from what could become a long-term conflict across the entire Middle East. However, interest from luxury hotel groups is driving this Previous growth of the luxury travel market to Egypt particularly.
Data from analytics company Deep market insights They show that the high-end sector of experiential tourism opportunities, such as private Nile cruises and archaeological tours, has grown by more than 400% over the past five years as high-spending travelers increasingly seek them out.
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Please schedule a complimentary appointment with TheStreet’s travel agent partner, Postcard TravelOr email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com Or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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