Egypt has been announced as the Premier Partner for the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, marking a significant milestone in its quest to enhance its global tourism presence. The agreement was confirmed by WTM London, one of the leading events in the travel industry, with the Egyptian Tourism Authority assuming the primary partnership role for this year’s edition.
The partnership was officially established during a signing ceremony held at Neon at Battersea Power Station in London, which followed the exclusive unveiling of Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold: The Exhibition. The ceremony included notable figures such as Chris Carter-Chapman, Event Director at WTM London; Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority; and Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, who all played a role in finalizing this partnership.
Egypt’s Long-standing Relationship with WTM London
Egypt has been a consistent presence at the WTM London since its inception in 1980, making it one of the most enduring participants of this global travel exhibition. Recently, the country has considerably increased its involvement in the event, with its exhibition space expanding by over 20% from 2023 to 2024, followed by a remarkable growth of over 50% in 2025. Altogether, this signifies nearly a 90% increase in allocated stand space since 2023, underscoring Egypt’s heightened efforts in promoting global tourism. In 2025, nearly 90 co-exhibitors were hosted at Egypt’s pavilion, indicating the importance of this event as a collaborative platform within the international travel sector.
Preparations are already underway to broaden Egypt’s footprint for the 2026 event, with an increasing number of Egyptian travel suppliers participating independently. For instance, in 2025, national carrier EgyptAir had its own display, alongside various hotel groups, resorts, and destination management companies.
Tourism Growth Fueling Ambitions
Egypt’s selection as the Premier Partner comes on the heels of substantial growth in its tourism sector. According to official statistics, nearly 19 million international travelers visited Egypt in 2025—a 21% increase compared to 2024, significantly outpacing the global tourism growth rate of 5%. Currently, Egypt is connected to nearly 200 cities worldwide through international flights, further demonstrating its growing allure as a tourist destination.
Looking to the future, Egypt aims to attract 30 million tourists by 2031, supported by ongoing investments in tourism promotion and infrastructure development. The WTM Global Travel Report 2025, created in collaboration with Tourism Economics, also forecasts a 27% rise in inbound tourism expenditures in Egypt by 2030.
Industry Leaders Weigh In on the Partnership
Commenting on the partnership, Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, stated:
“WTM London has been pivotal in positioning Egypt as one of the top leisure destinations globally. We plan to leverage our Premier Partner status to attract a more diverse range of source markets and travelers.”
Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, asserted:
“Our Premier Partnership with WTM London embodies Egypt’s strategic intent to be recognized as a leading global tourism destination. We will use this important partnership to showcase our vision, ‘Egypt – Unmatched Diversity,’ which emphasizes the vast array of experiences available in our country.” He highlighted that the agreement was finalized during the launch of Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold: The Exhibition in London, illustrating the significance of international partnerships in bolstering Egypt’s global tourism profile.
Chris Carter-Chapman, Event Director of WTM London, expressed:
“We’re thrilled to have partnered with the Egyptian Tourism Authority for the 2026 edition at this early phase of planning. We’re eager to collaborate in the upcoming months to help them achieve their ambitious growth targets and work towards their goal of 30 million arrivals by 2031.”
The upcoming edition of WTM London will be held from Tuesday, November 3rd to Thursday, November 5th at ExCeL London.
