Egypt announces new tourism strategy and UK flights at WTM London 2026
Egypt unveiled its new ‘Egypt, Unmatched Diversity’ tourism strategy at World Travel Market London 2026 and announced year‑round UK flights beginning February 2027, targeting a broader range of visitors beyond the classic sites.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Launch of a new tourism strategy and year‑round UK flights
- Timing
- Strategy unveiled at WTM London 2026, flights start February 2027
- Who is affected
- UK travellers and all tourists planning to visit Egypt
The details
- Announced by
- Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi and Egyptian Tourism Authority CEO Ahmed Youssef
Tourism strategy launch
At World Travel Market London 2026, Egypt presented its new tourism strategy titled ‘Egypt, Unmatched Diversity’. The plan seeks to expand the country’s appeal beyond the Pyramids, promoting wellness retreats, gastronomy and lesser‑known destinations. Minister Sherif Fathi and ETA CEO Ahmed Youssef highlighted the goal of spreading tourism benefits across more regions.
Visitor growth data
During the event, Egypt reported a 10 % rise in UK visitor numbers between January and October 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. The country welcomed nearly 19 million international visitors in 2025 and is on track for another record year in 2026.
New UK air connectivity
Jet2 announced that, from February 2027, it will operate year‑round flights from six UK airports to Egypt. The additional services aim to support visitor growth, encourage repeat visits and give travellers more options to explore destinations beyond the well‑known landmarks.
- Six UK departure airports will be served
- Flights will operate throughout the year
- Service intended to boost tourism revenues
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers with existing UK‑Egypt itineraries can expect more flight options from February 2027
- New routes may allow earlier arrivals to explore lesser‑known Egyptian regions
- No changes to current bookings are required before the new flights start
Cost and documents
- Airfare prices for the new Jet2 services have not been disclosed
- Visa requirements for Egypt remain unchanged
- Travel insurance should continue to cover the planned travel dates
What you need to do
- Check Jet2 schedules after February 2027 for additional departure airports
- Consider adjusting travel dates to take advantage of year‑round flights
- Monitor the ‘Egypt, Unmatched Diversity’ campaign for new destination offers
Who this affects
-
UK travellers to Egypt
The new year‑round flights from six UK airports are aimed at this market
What to do Watch for the launch of Jet2 services in February 2027 and plan travel accordingly
-
Travel agents selling Egypt packages
The tourism strategy expands product offerings beyond iconic sites
What to do Update package portfolios to include wellness retreats, gastronomy tours and lesser‑known destinations
-
Airlines operating UK‑Egypt routes
Increased competition from Jet2’s new services may affect market share
What to do Review capacity and pricing strategies in response to the additional flights
Frequently asked questions
When will the new UK flights to Egypt start?
The year‑round Jet2 flights from six UK airports are scheduled to begin in February 2027, as announced at WTM London 2026.
What is the ‘Egypt, Unmatched Diversity’ tourism strategy?
It is Egypt’s new tourism plan unveiled at WTM London 2026 that promotes wellness retreats, gastronomy, and lesser‑known destinations to broaden appeal beyond the Pyramids.
How many UK visitors did Egypt receive in 2026 so far?
Egypt reported a 10 % increase in UK visitor numbers between January and October 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Will visa requirements for Egypt change with the new strategy?
The announcement did not mention any changes to visa requirements; existing visa rules remain in force.
Which UK airports will have direct flights to Egypt under the new service?
Jet2 will launch year‑round flights from six UK airports, though the specific airports were not listed in the announcement.
