Joel A. Bartsch works as the CEO of the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Texas. In his free time, Joel Bartsch loves to travel and explore, particularly Middle Eastern culture.
Tourism is a crucial part of Egypt’s economy and a leading source of income. In 2019, the country received up to 13 million visitors, ranking second in North Africa. That year, the industry generated about $4.87 billion and made up over 1.3 percent of Egypt’s GDP.
As a tourist destination, Egypt is known for its magnificent history and ancient civilization dating thousands of years back. The country is enriched with numerous monuments, artifacts, and antiquities, making it an intriguing location for thousands of tourists from around the globe. Cultural tourism is the core of Egypt’s tourism sector, with major emphasis on the impressive historical sites like the pyramids of Giza, Memphis city, the Egyptian Museum, Karnak Temple, and the Abu Simbel Temples.
Egypt’s tourism sector, however, extends beyond culture and history. The country is also known for medical tourism, with natural oasis and mineral water known to cure various diseases. Some sandy spots on the red sea are also believed to cure bone and muscle problems when one sits on them. Medical centers in the country include Nasser Wells, Bahariya Oasis, Sands of Safaga, and Farafra Oasis.
Egypt is also an excellent location for recreational tourism. Visitors enjoy the sight of the Red Sea and charming coastal beaches in cities like Dahab, El Gouna, and Hurghada. Various water activities like scuba diving and snorkeling also make up part of the experience. Egypt’s desert landscape also draws visitors for Safari trips, photo-taking, and quad bike riding.
