International Travel and Staycations Fuel Surge in Summer Spending in Egypt, Visa Report Shows
Summer 2025 marked a sharp rise in consumer spending in Egypt, with total spend on Visa premium consumer cards increasing 44% year-on-year, according to the latest Retail Spend Monitor from Visa Consulting & Analytics. The data highlights how evolving travel patterns, growing digital adoption, and rising demand for leisure are shaping consumer behavior.
Shifting Consumer Behavior
Visa’s report revealed that travel and staycations grew 27% this summer compared to last year. Planning behaviors varied: 9% of consumers booked more than three months ahead, 13% planned one to three months prior, while the vast majority (78%) opted for last-minute trips. Dining and leisure saw particularly strong momentum, with spending rising 57% year-over-year. Premium cardholders—who now account for nearly half of summer spending (46%)—increased their use of digital payments by an impressive 85%.
Travel Trends: Short Escapes vs. Extended Getaways
Egyptian travelers embraced both long and short breaks. Longer getaways captured 66% of travel spend, generating higher average expenditures. Meanwhile, short-trip spending in Europe surged 54%, with popular destinations including France, Germany, the UK, and Greece.
Outbound Travel Growth
Outbound spending by Egyptian premium cardholders climbed 28%, led by travel to the UAE, France, Spain, the US, and Italy. Premium users now represent 81% of total summer outbound spend, underlining their growing influence on international travel flows.
Inbound Travel Momentum
Inbound spending by premium Visa cardholders also gained traction. Visitors from the Middle East—particularly the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan—boosted spend by 35%, while inbound spend from Europe surged 139%, led by France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Digital and eCommerce on the Rise
Digital payments continued to expand rapidly, with digital spend up 85% and eCommerce spend climbing 55% among premium Visa cardholders. This shift underscores the growing preference for secure, convenient alternatives to cash.
Executive Insights
“Consumers in Egypt are embracing digital payment options and experiences more than ever this summer,” said Malak El Baba, Vice President and Country Manager for Visa in Egypt. “Visa is committed to supporting these evolving preferences by providing secure and seamless payment solutions. The strong rise in leisure and dining spend shows how Egyptians are prioritizing convenience, trust, and elevated experiences when they choose digital-first ways to plan, pay, and celebrate.”
Nicolas Khoury, SVP, Head of Visa Consulting & Analytics, CEMEA, added:
> “With the regional expertise of Visa Consulting & Analytics and the scale of VisaNet, we empower clients with actionable insights into evolving consumer behaviors—helping them respond quickly to demand shifts and unlock new growth opportunities during peak seasons such as summer.”