PRESS RELEASE
Opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and Record Growth in Russian Tourist Arrivals Mark a New Era of Cooperation
Moscow, December 2025 - The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt officially confirms its participation in MITT 2026, the largest tourism exhibition in Russia and the CIS, which will take place on 11–13 March 2026 at Crocus Expo in Moscow.
Egypt’s participation comes at a time of exceptional momentum for the country’s tourism sector: international arrivals are growing, cooperation with the Russian market is strengthening, and Egypt is launching major cultural projects of global significance.
Record Growth of Russian Tourist Arrivals in 2025
Russia remains one of Egypt’s key tourism markets, and 2025 has shown outstanding results:
• In the first six months of 2025, Egypt welcomed 937,044 Russian tourists, representing a 40.5% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
• In 2024, Egypt welcomed approximately 1.6 million Russian tourists, and Egypt expects more than 2 million Russian tourists in 2025.
• Interest is expanding beyond traditional Red Sea resorts towards new destinations such as Luxor, Aswan, the Siwa Oasis, and the North Coast, as well as combined cultural itineraries.
This stable demand forms a solid foundation for deepening cooperation with Russian travel partners.
Opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum - the World’s Most Anticipated Cultural Event
On 1 November 2025, Egypt inaugurated the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) - the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation. From 4 November, it opened its doors to the general public.
GEM has become a landmark global cultural event:
• More than 100,000 artefacts, including the complete treasure collection of Tutankhamun
• A monumental statue of Ramses II and cutting-edge exhibition technologies
• A location adjacent to the Giza Plateau, forming a world-class cultural cluster
The opening of GEM has created a powerful new motivation for travel and has significantly enhanced Egypt’s appeal for cultural and educational tourism.
The event has already contributed to increased demand from the Russian market: sales of New Year holiday packages for 2025–2026 grew more than 3.5 times compared to the previous year.
Egypt - a Strategic Partner for the Russian Market
The Ministry of Tourism of Egypt continues to strengthen cooperation with Russian tour operators, expand regional offerings, improve service quality and infrastructure, and maintain a strong focus on visitor safety.
Egypt has extended the duration of long-term visas for Russians: tourists can now stay in Egypt for up to 180 days.
At MITT 2026, Egypt will present:
• A new strategy for promoting its tourism regions
• A showcase of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s capabilities
• Updated cultural and sightseeing itineraries
• Joint initiatives to grow the Russian market
• An expanded portfolio of beach, family, wellness, and luxury tourism products
Invitation for Cooperation
The Ministry of Tourism of Egypt invites Russian tour operators, travel agencies, media, and industry professionals to visit Egypt’s national stand at MITT 2026, meet key representatives of the country’s tourism sector, and explore new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Egypt looks forward to welcoming you at MITT 2026 - a year marked by cultural milestones and growing tourism demand.
