What's new in Egypt? | Connecting Travel

The ancient sights of Egypt are on Mabrian's list of top 10 outbound destinations for GCC travellers

Considered the ‘cradle of civilisation’, Egypt’s antiquities blend seamlessly into everyday life. Whether it's breakfast with a backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza, a sunset stroll around Luxor Temple, a walk through the coloured canyons of Nuweiba or a gentle cruise through history down the Nile, Egypt lets you relive history amid unforgettable landscapes.

While the pyramids remain the country’s most recognisable attraction, data intelligence specialist Mabrian found that the country’s most talked-about attractions on social media are the River Nile, the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, Old Cairo, the Karnak Temple Complex of temples, pylons and chapels near Luxor, and the coastal town of Safaga on the Red Sea.

Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities, Ahmed Issa, recently announced that the country would receive 18 million tourists throughout 2024, and target 20 million in 2025. To aid the growth, EGYPTAIR introduced nine new routes in 2023 – including Manchester, UK, Shanghai, China, and Delhi, India – with the airline planning to expand its network to 100 destinations by 2028.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TOP 10 OUTBOUND DESTINATIONS FOR GCC TRAVELLERS IN THE FREE CONNECTING TRAVEL INSIGHT REPORT

New Attractions
The highly anticipated full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is set for late spring. One of the world’s largest archaeological museums, and designed by Dublin studio Heneghan Peng Architects, it will house over 100,000 Pharaonic artefacts and feature an interactive Tutankhamun experience, a children’s museum tour and gardens.

More accessible history awaits thanks to the opening of the restored tomb of Neferhotep, the scribe of Amun, as a new Luxor tourist attraction. And the renowned Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, which is dedicated to Greek and Roman antiquities, has reopened its doors after almost two decades of restoration.

Meanwhile, Viking River Cruises has announced its newest ship – the 82-guest Viking Hathor, debuting in summer 2024, and designed with an elegant Scandinavian aesthetic – will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art Nile boats, and sail the 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary.

Viking Nile cruise

The first residents have arrived in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, a lavish new capital city 45km east of Cairo

New Hotels
Waldorf Astoria made its debut in Egypt in March 2024 with Waldorf Astoria Cairo Helopolis, taking top billing as the capital’s hottest place to stay. Designed by London-based Adrian Barboza Design, the interiors take inspiration from the art deco era with references to Pharaonic arts.

Another popular new beach spot is Address Beach Resort Marassi in Marassi along Egypt’s north coast, marking the second hotel under the Emaar-owned Address Hotels and Resorts brand. It comes with 160 metres of private beach and 118 rooms and suites, just a short walk from the international marina and yacht club.

Another one to bookmark is the upcoming Hyatt Centric Cairo West, Egypt’s first art hotel. The 301-room hotel, located in Pyramids Heights, will blend art, culture and history through the lens of local contemporary artists, with décor that refers to Egyptian crafts, Pharaonic heritage and the country’s pop culture.

Travel and tourism data intelligence provider Mabrian shared insights on Azerbaijan as an outbound destination for GCC travellers: