Egypt wins gold award for top cultural tourism destination

Egypt won the gold award in the 25th edition of the British magazine Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards in the category of “Most Desirable Cultural and Heritage Destination,” ranking first ahead of several leading transnational tourist destinations, based on readers’ votes.

The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards are among the travel industry’s prominent honors, with winners selected through votes by the magazine’s readers, reflecting travelers’ preferences and actual experiences.

CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority Ahmed Youssef received the award at a ceremony held at the historic Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College in London’s Greenwich district, attended by around 500 senior travel and tourism industry leaders from around the world.

In his keynote speech, Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and founder of the Travalyst initiative, stressed the importance of promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices and cooperation among stakeholders to ensure a more sustainable future for the sector.

On the occasion, Minister of Tourism Sherif Fathy welcomed the award, saying it reflected Egypt’s distinguished position on the global tourism map and its unique cultural and heritage assets, which showcase the richness of ancient Egyptian civilization and its thousands of years of history, as well as its exceptional museums and archaeological sites.

He said the award recognized Egypt’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage by maintaining museums and archaeological sites, ensuring their sustainability for future generations, improving services and enhancing the visitor experience.

Fathy added that these efforts were part of the ministry’s strategy to highlight Egypt’s unparalleled tourism diversity and strengthen its position as an integrated destination offering distinctive experiences for visitors with varied interests, thereby boosting its competitiveness globally.

For his part, Youssef said the award reflected Egypt’s strong appeal among travelers interested in cultural and heritage tourism and its ability to offer rich experiences combining authenticity and diversity while meeting the preferences of visitors seeking meaningful cultural and historical experiences.

He added that the award further strengthened the international recognition of Egypt’s tourism sector, enhanced its presence in global markets and supported promotional efforts to attract more cultural and heritage tourists.

It could also encourage previous visitors to return and explore the country’s diverse tourism offerings.