When Egypt hosted over 37,000 participants from 182 countries at the World Urban Forum in November 2024, the world witnessed something remarkable. Conference and Exhibition Tourism in Egypt 2025 isn’t just growing—it’s thriving spectacularly, transforming the nation into one of the most dynamic business tourism destinations in the region.
The numbers tell an incredible story. Egypt welcomed a record-breaking 15.78 million tourists in 2024, the highest figure ever recorded in the country’s history. Tourism revenues soared to $15.3 billion, more than doubling from $7.2 billion just a decade ago. But beyond these impressive statistics lies something even more exciting: Egypt has become a powerhouse for hosting world-class conferences, exhibitions, and international events that are reshaping the global business tourism landscape.
“Beach Tourism in Egypt 2025: The Best Coastal Destinations.”
Egypt’s Historic Achievements in Global Event Hosting
The past few years have marked a golden era for Conference Tourism in Egypt. The country has successfully hosted some of the world’s most prestigious international gatherings, proving its capability to manage large-scale, complex events that demand world-class infrastructure and impeccable organization.
COP27: A Milestone for African Climate Leadership
In November 2022, Sharm El-Sheikh became the center of global climate action when Egypt hosted COP27, the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference. The conference took place from November 6-20, 2022, welcoming over 40,000 registered participants and more than 120 world leaders. This wasn’t just another international conference—it was a watershed moment that demonstrated Egypt’s readiness for the world stage.
The conference was the first COP to take place in Africa since 2016, and Egypt made it count. The Egyptian presidency, led by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, successfully navigated complex negotiations that resulted in the historic establishment of a loss and damage fund for climate-vulnerable nations. The event showcased Egypt’s diplomatic prowess and its state-of-the-art conference facilities in Sharm El-Sheikh, a city that has become synonymous with premium business tourism.
What made COP27 particularly impressive was Egypt’s ability to manage the logistical complexity of hosting delegates from virtually every nation on Earth, all while the world watched. The seamless execution of this massive undertaking sent a clear message: Egypt can handle the biggest events the international community has to offer.
World Urban Forum 2024: Setting New Records
If COP27 was impressive, the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in November 2024 was extraordinary. The twelfth session of the World Urban Forum officially welcomed over 37,000 participants from 182 countries to Cairo, making it the largest World Urban Forum in history.
The forum took place from November 4-8, 2024, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, bringing together representatives of national, regional, and local governments, academics, business leaders, urban planners, and civil society representatives. with the forum achieving gender parity among speakers in main sessions, featuring 201 male and 206 female speakers.
The diversity of participants was remarkable. Delegates came from Africa (74 percent), Asia (11.3 percent), Europe (8.3 percent), the Americas (6 percent), and Oceania (0.3 percent), with participants including 21 percent from academia, 16 percent from government, and 12.8 percent from the private sector.
Following the event’s success, Egypt’s National Conference and International Exhibition Center received a special letter of appreciation from UN Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach for the organization, preparation, and high level of facilities during WUF12, praising the great support and distinctive efforts that gained attention from Egyptian, Arab, and international media.
Egypt’s Thriving Exhibition and Conference Landscape in 2025
Beyond these mega-events, Egypt hosts a vibrant calendar of specialized exhibitions and conferences that serve diverse industries and attract thousands of international visitors throughout the year.
EGYPES: North Africa’s Premier Energy Platform
The Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES) is North Africa and the Mediterranean’s most important energy exhibition and conference, taking place from March 30 to April 1, 2026, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, attracting 50,000 attendees from international businesses.
In 2025, inaugurated the 8th Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition (EGYPS 2025), demonstrating the highest level of governmental support for Business Tourism Egypt 2025. The event features two comprehensive conferences—Strategic and Technical—with over 100 sessions including ministerial dialogues, investment debates, technical insights, and innovation showcases.
EGYPES has become the commercial hub where policymakers, energy leaders, buyers, and investors connect, turning dialogue into action. The event brings together government representatives, Global CEOs, National Oil Companies (NOCs), International Oil Companies (IOCs), international service providers, engineering, procurement, and construction firms (EPCs), consultants, and financiers to address evolving opportunities in global energy markets.
Medical and Healthcare Excellence: Egymedica
Egymedica is Egypt and Africa’s largest and oldest exhibition and conference in the medical sector, serving as the main gateway for healthcare professionals, distributors, and businesses looking to showcase and source medical equipment and products. The exhibition attracts a wide international audience, offering exceptional networking and business opportunities for anyone looking to expand their medical network across Egypt and Africa.
The pharmaceutical sector has become particularly vibrant. Egypt’s pharmaceutical exports reached 1.5 billion dollars for 2024-2025, with a plan targeting 3 billion dollars by 2030. The Pharmaconex agenda focused on maximizing investment opportunities in pharmaceutical production to international standards, with approximately 70 high-level dialogue sessions hosting prominent experts from Egypt, the EU, and several other countries.
Technology and Innovation Summits
Cairo ICT is one of the premier technology fairs in the Middle East and Africa, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the IT, telecommunications, and digital industries. The event offers valuable insights from thought leaders, along with an extensive program covering the latest technological advancements.
The Cyberx Egypt Summit & Awards brings together thought leaders, decision-makers, and professionals in cybersecurity, focusing on sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and discussing the latest trends in cybersecurity. These technology-focused events position Egypt as a forward-thinking destination that embraces digital innovation.
Food, Agriculture, and Specialized Industries
Food Africa is the largest trade exhibition for food and agriculture in Africa, focusing on food processing, packaging, and agricultural sectors, offering businesses a platform to showcase products, network, and explore opportunities within Africa’s growing food market.
Exhibition Tourism in Egypt extends to numerous other sectors. PLASTEX is the leading international trade fair for plastic machinery, raw materials, and chemicals in North and East Africa, serving as a key meeting place for regional manufacturers and global suppliers.
The Egypt Coating Show provides wide areas for paint centers and manufacturers, raw material suppliers, distributors, buyers, technical experts, designers, and chemists to communicate and conclude commercial agreements. The volume of Egypt’s paint market business recorded nearly 2.1 billion dollars in 2023 and added more than 980 million dollars by the end of 2024.
International Cosmetics and Beauty Industry
The International Cosmetic Congress and Exhibition (ICCE) takes place September 17-19, 2025, in Cairo, bringing together beauty industry professionals, cosmetic manufacturers, and aesthetic medicine specialists from around the world. This event has positioned Cairo as a regional capital for the aesthetics and beauty industry.
Sports and Recreation Exhibitions
witnessed the inauguration of the 3rd Sports Expo 2025 Conference and Exhibition organized by Delta Conex from February 24-26. The exhibition featured over 60 exhibitors with expertise in various sports fields and a special presence from China and Pakistan.
The integration of Soccerex, bringing elite international football clubs to Egypt’s sports exhibitions, demonstrates the country’s growing appeal to premium international brands and organizations.
Cairo International Book Fair: A Cultural Phenomenon
“Visit now Cairo International Fair.”
The Egypt International Exhibition Center welcomed 5.5 million visitors to the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, making it one of the largest and most attended book fairs in the Arab world and Africa. This cultural event has become a major attraction that combines educational value with mass appeal, drawing visitors from across the region.
The UFI Middle East and Africa Conference 2025
Looking ahead, Egypt’s conference calendar continues to expand impressively. UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced that the 2025 UFI MEA Conference will be held in Cairo, Egypt, from April 28-30, 2025, hosted by the Egypt Expo and Convention Authority (EECA) at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center.
General Sherif El Mawardy, Chairman of Egypt Expo & Convention Authority, noted this follows Cairo’s milestone hosting of the 70th UFI Global Congress in 2003 at the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel, which marked Cairo as the first city in the Middle East to host this prominent global event. This historical context is significant—Egypt has been a notable presence in the international exhibition industry since participating in the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 and hosting the first International Agricultural Exhibition in Cairo in 1900.
Said Al Shanfari, UFI MEA Chapter Chair and CEO of Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, stated that with rising interest in the North African market, especially among GCC stakeholders, this conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore collaborations that can shape the future of the industry.
Egypt’s Tourism Renaissance: The Numbers Behind the Success
The success of Conference and Exhibition Tourism in Egypt 2025 is part of a broader tourism renaissance that has positioned Egypt among the world’s fastest-growing destinations.
Record-Breaking Tourism Performance
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Egypt’s Travel & Tourism sector contributed EGP 1.4 trillion to Egypt’s GDP in 2024, accounting for 8.5 percent of the national economy. Looking ahead, 2025 is projected to set a new all-time high with a forecast annual growth of 4.9 percent and increase in the sector’s share to 8.6 percent of national GDP.
Egypt welcomed approximately 8.7 million tourists in the first half of FY2024/2025, with 15.78 million international tourists visiting Egypt over 2024, marking the highest number ever recorded. Egypt welcomed 3.9 million tourists during the first quarter of 2025, marking a 25 percent year-on-year increase.
These aren’t just numbers—they represent real people choosing Egypt for their business events, conferences, and professional gatherings.
Visitor Spending Surge
2024 marked the strongest year on record for visitor spending, with international visitor expenditure reaching EGP 726.9 billion, up 36.1 percent compared to 2019, while domestic visitor spending rose to EGP 449.9 billion, 31.8 percent above pre-pandemic levels.
Egypt’s tourism revenue more than doubled over the past decade, reaching $15.3 billion in 2024, compared to $7.2 billion in 2014. This remarkable growth reflects Egypt’s increasing attractiveness to high-value tourists, including MICE delegates who typically spend significantly more than leisure travelers.
Employment Growth and Economic Impact
In 2024, the sector supported 2.7 million jobs, exceeding the 2019 peak, with 2025 employment forecast to rise to 2.9 million, marking a 22.3 percent increase compared to 2019.
The Egyptian economy achieved a growth rate of 4.3 percent during the second quarter of the current fiscal year 2024/2025, driven by a robust 18 percent expansion in the tourism sector, specifically restaurants and hotels. This growth outperformed the non-oil manufacturing sector and the communications and information technology sector, highlighting tourism’s central role in Egypt’s economic resurgence.
World-Class Infrastructure Supporting Conference Tourism
Egypt’s success in hosting major international events isn’t accidental—it’s the result of substantial investments in world-class conference and exhibition infrastructure.
Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center
The Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center has become Egypt’s flagship venue for major international events. Its successful hosting of the World Urban Forum, the UFI conferences, and numerous other major exhibitions demonstrates its capability to handle events of any scale and complexity.
Egypt International Exhibition Center
The Egypt International Exhibition Center regularly hosts major events like EGYPES and the Cairo International Book Fair. Its modern facilities and strategic location in Cairo make it an ideal choice for both regional and international exhibitions.
Al Manara International Conference Center
Al Manara ICC has hosted prestigious events, including activities for the World Urban Forum, alongside the Egypt International Exhibition Center. The venue provides state-of-the-art facilities for high-level governmental and international conferences.
Resort Conference Centers
Beyond Cairo, Egypt’s resort destinations offer stunning conference facilities. Sharm El-Sheikh, having successfully hosted COP27, provides world-class conference centers with breathtaking Red Sea views. These destinations combine professional business facilities with leisure amenities, creating perfect environments for incentive travel and corporate events.
Strategic Advantages Driving Growth
Several factors contribute to Egypt’s remarkable success in Conference Tourism in Egypt:
Geographic Position
Egypt’s location at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe makes it accessible for delegates from three continents. This strategic position reduces travel time and costs for pan-regional conferences.
Year-Round Favorable Climate
Egypt’s moderate climate throughout the year allows for predictable event planning without weather-related cancellations that plague many other destinations.
Rich Cultural Heritage
Egypt offers something no competitor can match—five thousand years of continuous civilization. Conference attendees don’t just attend meetings; they experience history. Gala dinners at the Pyramids, networking events on Nile cruises, and excursions to ancient temples transform business trips into unforgettable experiences.
Competitive Pricing with Premium Experiences
Egypt delivers exceptional value, offering world-class facilities and unique experiences at competitive prices compared to European and other regional destinations.
Government Support
With strategic location, world-class exhibition facilities, diverse economy, government incentives, thriving tourism sector, large domestic market, digital innovations, and skilled workforce, Egypt stands out as a premier destination for investment.
The highest levels of government actively support major events, as demonstrated by presidential patronage of EGYPES and personal attendance at event inaugurations by the Prime Minister and various ministers.
Innovations Enhancing the Visitor Experience
Egypt continues to innovate in ways that make it easier and more attractive for conference organizers and delegates.
Digital Transformation
Egypt introduced a unified digital platform that now issues yacht visit approvals within just 30 minutes, compared to the previous process which took 15 to 30 days. This efficiency extends to other areas of business tourism, making Egypt increasingly attractive for last-minute bookings and flexible event planning.
Sustainability Initiatives
The Grand Egyptian Museum was certified as the first green museum in Africa and the Middle East in February 2024, using solar panels and other sustainable technologies to reduce its environmental impact. Solar stations are now operating at five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the famous Karnak Temple.
These sustainability initiatives appeal to organizations with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mandates, expanding Egypt’s appeal to conscious corporate clients.
Enhanced Connectivity
Tourism contributed to an 8.2 percent growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities coordinating with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to provide EGP 50 billion in funding to support the sector.
Investments in airport infrastructure, road networks, and hotel capacity continue to improve the overall conference delegate experience.
The Grand Egyptian Museum: A Game-Changer for 2025
“Visit now The Grand Egyptian Museum.”
One of the most anticipated developments is the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The Grand Egyptian Museum near Cairo is scheduled to officially open on Nov 1, 2025, as the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization, showcasing Egypt’s history from ancient times to the Roman era.
Tourism Minister Sharif Fathi highlighted the significant role of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening on Nov 1st in marketing and promoting Egyptian tourism internationally, noting the state’s commitment to a global inauguration ceremony with the participation of presidents and princes from numerous countries worldwide.
The GEM will become a major draw for conference organizers seeking unique venues and exceptional experiences for delegates. Imagine hosting a gala dinner at the world’s largest archaeological museum, with King Tutankhamun’s treasures as a backdrop. This is the level of extraordinary experience that Exhibition Tourism in Egypt can now offer.
Looking Forward: Egypt’s Bright Future in Business Tourism
The trajectory for Business Tourism Egypt 2025 points unmistakably upward. Tourism experts anticipate welcoming between 16-18 million tourists by the end of 2025, particularly with the imminent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, stated: “Egypt’s Travel & Tourism sector is experiencing a powerful resurgence, with record-breaking economic contribution and a sustained surge in visitor spending. With its rich cultural heritage, world-class attractions, and growing connectivity, Egypt continues to captivate travellers from around the globe. The government’s focus on investment, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism is clearly paying off”.
Expanding Global Recognition
Egypt improved its ranking by 22 places in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024, climbing from 83rd place in 2015 to 61st in 2024. This dramatic improvement reflects the tangible results of Egypt’s investments and strategic focus on tourism excellence.
Strengthening International Partnerships
Egypt participated in 33 international tourism fairs in 2023-2024 and organized 80 influencer-led familiarization trips, boosting Egypt’s digital presence. These marketing efforts are paying off, with increased awareness of Egypt’s capabilities in the global MICE market.
Diversifying Tourism Products
Egypt supports diverse tourism models, including Nile tourism, which is being developed to expand floating hotel capacity to 25,000 rooms by 2030. In medical tourism, Egypt signed an agreement to establish its first medical and wellness resort, Naya Health Resort, marking the country’s first dedicated medical tourism center.
These specialized tourism products complement conference and exhibition tourism, allowing organizers to offer diverse experiences to delegates.
The Diverse International Appeal
Egypt’s conference tourism success draws from truly global markets. Germany, Russia, and Saudi Arabia were the top three countries contributing to inbound tourism throughout 2024 and during the first half of FY2024/2025.
Egypt welcomed tourists from numerous Western European countries, including Germany, England, France, and Spain, with European tourism accounting for the largest share of inbound tourism during the first quarter of 2025, led by German, Italian, Spanish, and French nationalities.
This diversity demonstrates Egypt’s broad international appeal and its ability to attract delegates from multiple regions simultaneously—a crucial factor for international conferences and exhibitions.
Conclusion: Egypt’s Conference Tourism Renaissance
Conference and Exhibition Tourism in Egypt 2025 represents a remarkable success story that continues to unfold. From hosting the world’s largest World Urban Forum with 37,000 participants to successfully managing COP27 with over 40,000 delegates, Egypt has proven it belongs among the world’s elite conference destinations.
The statistics are impressive: 15.78 million tourists in 2024, $15.3 billion in tourism revenues, 2.7 million jobs supported, and a 25 percent year-on-year growth in early 2025. But beyond the numbers lies something more significant—a transformation in how the world views Egypt as a destination for serious business events.
With world-class venues like the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, the Egypt International Exhibition Center, and stunning resort conference facilities in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt offers infrastructure that matches any destination globally. The successful hosting of mega-events like COP27 and WUF12 demonstrates operational excellence at the highest levels.
Looking ahead, the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in July 2025 will add another spectacular element to Egypt’s conference tourism appeal. Combined with ongoing investments in infrastructure, digital transformation, and sustainability initiatives, Egypt’s position as a premier destination for conferences, exhibitions, and business tourism continues to strengthen.
For conference organizers seeking a destination that combines professional excellence with unforgettable experiences, that offers world-class facilities against a backdrop of five thousand years of history, and that delivers exceptional value with genuine warmth and hospitality—Exhibition Tourism in Egypt and Business Tourism Egypt 2025 offer an opportunity that simply cannot be found elsewhere.
The renaissance is real, the momentum is building, and Egypt’s future as a global hub for conference and exhibition tourism has never looked brighter. This isn’t potential waiting to be realized—it’s success already achieved and accelerating forward. Welcome to the vibrant, thriving hub of global events that is modern Egypt.
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