Pyramids and Beaches: Egyptian Tourism

How tourism to the pyramids, Luxor and Red Sea resorts supports Egypt's economy, and how terrorism, revolution and the pandemic caused booms and busts.

Tourism is a major earner for Egypt.

Attractions

The Pyramids of Giza.
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.
Red Sea resorts like Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.

Grand Egyptian Museum

A huge new museum near the pyramids aims to draw more visitors.

Volatility

Tourism fell sharply after:

The 2011 revolution.
A 2015 plane crash near Sharm el-Sheikh.
COVID-19 in 2020.

Jobs

Tourism supports millions of jobs, directly and indirectly.

Economics

Tourism brings dollars but makes Egypt vulnerable to shocks it can’t control.

The empty resort

After the 2015 crash, Russian and British flights to Sharm el-Sheikh stopped, and hotels emptied for years.

Thinking heritage tourism is stable

Security shocks can empty resorts.

Key takeaways

Pyramids, Luxor and Red Sea resorts attract tourists.
Tourism supports millions of jobs.
Revolution, attacks and COVID caused slumps.
It brings dollars but also vulnerability.