Egypt has been introduced because the Premier Associate for World Journey Market (WTM) London 2026, marking a significant milestone for the nation because it continues to broaden its world tourism presence. The partnership was confirmed by WTM London, one of many world’s most influential journey business occasions, with the Egyptian Tourism Authority taking up the flagship associate function for the 2026 version.
The settlement was formalised throughout a signing ceremony not too long ago at Neon at Battersea Energy Station in London, following the unique launch of Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold: The Exhibition. The ceremony introduced collectively Chris Carter-Chapman, Occasion Director at WTM London; Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority; and Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, who formally confirmed the partnership.
Egypt’s lengthy relationship with WTM London
Egypt has maintained a powerful presence at WTM London for the reason that occasion’s inaugural version in 1980, making it one of many longest-standing members on the world journey exhibition. Lately, the nation has considerably expanded its participation on the present. Its exhibition stand area grew by greater than 20 % between 2023 and 2024, adopted by an extra enhance of over 50 % in 2025. Total, this represents almost 90 % development in stand area since 2023, highlighting Egypt’s rising funding in world tourism promotion. On the 2025 version of WTM London, Egypt’s pavilion hosted round 90 co-exhibitors, demonstrating the occasion’s significance as a platform for collaboration throughout the worldwide journey business.
Discussions are already underneath strategy to broaden Egypt’s presence even additional for the 2026 occasion. WTM London has additionally seen a rising variety of Egyptian journey suppliers take part independently. In 2025, for instance, nationwide provider EgyptAir operated its personal stand, whereas a number of lodge teams, resorts and vacation spot administration firms additionally exhibited on the present.
Tourism development driving world ambitions
Egypt’s appointment as Premier Associate comes amid robust development within the nation’s tourism sector. Based on official figures, Egypt welcomed almost 19 million worldwide guests in 2025, representing a 21 % enhance in contrast with 2024 and considerably outperforming the worldwide tourism development charge of 5 %. The nation is at the moment linked to virtually 200 cities worldwide by means of worldwide flights, reflecting its rising world tourism enchantment.
Trying forward, Egypt goals to achieve 30 million vacationer arrivals by 2031, supported by continued funding in tourism promotion and infrastructure. The WTM World Journey Report 2025, produced in partnership with Tourism Economics, additionally predicts a 27 % enhance in inbound tourism spending in Egypt by 2030.
Business leaders spotlight partnership
Speaking concerning the partnership, Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, mentioned:
“WTM London has been instrumental in serving to Egypt to develop into one of many world’s hottest outbound leisure locations. We intend to take full benefit of our Premier Associate standing to advertise the world’s oldest tourism vacation spot to a good wider vary of supply markets and traveller sorts.”
Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, mentioned: “Our Premier Partnership with WTM London displays Egypt’s strategic imaginative and prescient to place itself as a number one world tourism vacation spot. We are going to use this vital partnership to advertise our imaginative and prescient, ‘Egypt – Unmatched Range,’ which highlights the extraordinary breadth of experiences our nation affords.” He added that the settlement was signed throughout the opening of Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold: The Exhibition in London, highlighting the function of worldwide partnerships in strengthening Egypt’s world tourism profile.
Speaking concerning the announcement, Chris Carter-Chapman, Occasion Director of WTM London, mentioned: “We’re delighted to have secured the Egyptian Tourism Authority as our 2026 Premier Associate this early within the planning cycle. We’re excited to work with them over the approaching months as they search to realize their development goals and propel them in direction of their goal of 30 million arrivals by 2031.”
The subsequent version of WTM London 2026 will happen from Tuesday 3 November to Thursday 5 November at ExCeL London.
