Egypt Adds 19 New Floating Hotels with Investments Exceeding EGP 1.1 Billion
Egypt’s hospitality sector has seen a significant boost with the addition of 19 new floating hotels entering service at the start of the winter tourism season in early October, representing a total investment of EGP 1.14 billion, according to Ehab Abdel Aal, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers.
10% Growth in Floating Hotel Capacity
The introduction of these new vessels has increased the total capacity of Egypt’s floating hotels by around 10%, bringing the total number of operational and tourist-ready floating hotels to 205, offering more than 12,000 rooms. This marks a rise from 186 hotels during the previous winter season.
Abdel Aal noted that this expansion underscores growing investor confidence in Egypt’s tourism sector, particularly along the Nile River routes between Luxor and Aswan, which remain among the most popular destinations for both domestic and international travelers.
Government Push to Expand Hotel Capacity
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced last month that the government is actively working to expand the country’s hotel capacity to accommodate increasing tourist arrivals. He emphasized that tourism remains a key pillar of Egypt’s economy and a vital source of foreign currency inflows.
As part of its long-term tourism development strategy, the Egyptian government aims to attract $35.4 billion in new investments to add 340,000 hotel rooms by 2031, boosting the nation’s total accommodation capacity to 568,000 rooms, compared with 228,000 rooms expected by the end of 2024.
Strengthening Egypt’s Tourism Competitiveness
The latest additions to Egypt’s floating hotel fleet align with the country’s broader efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure, diversify accommodation offerings, and improve visitor experiences across its key destinations. The move comes amid a strong rebound in tourism performance, supported by infrastructure upgrades, new investment incentives, and improved connectivity across major tourist hubs.
With the expansion of floating hotels, Egypt continues to position itself as a premier global river cruise destination, capitalizing on its unique cultural heritage and world-renowned Nile tourism experience.