Egypt saw an all-time high of 14.9 million arrivals last year, according to recently released figures from the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, but industry workers say between the economic crisis and the Israel-Hamas war, the industry is suffering. Photojournalist Hamada Elrasam follows the story across Upper Egypt, from Luxor to Aswan, and beyond, with words by Elle Kurancid.
In Photos: Economic, Regional Instability Pose Challenges for Egypt’s Tourism Industry
- By Hamada Elsaram
- Elle Kurancid
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Ahmed Masoud, the chief antiquities inspector of Abu Simbel, says, “The majority of foreign travelers are visiting from East Asia, while the smallest group is from Europe. We do have a group from France today.” Masoud is pictured at Abu Simbel, Egypt, Feb. 22, 2024.
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Egyptian tourism workers report emptier sites, but with more individual travelers and vloggers from East Asia, adding that they believe Americans and Europeans may be reluctant to visit as the war in neighboring Gaza rages on, in Luxor, Egypt, Feb. 24, 2024.
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Sailors say in busier times, these traditional boats, or feluccas, would be gliding around the Nile for a sunset ride at this time of year, in Luxor, Egypt, Feb. 23, 2024.
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Mohamed Hajaj, a felucca sailor, says, “Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, I’ve noticed how our business has been coming from more local tourists than international ones.” Hajaj is pictured in Luxor, Egypt, Feb. 23, 2024.
