Egypt and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Tourism Cooperation at International Meeting

Sharif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, met with Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, to explore ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and expand opportunities in the tourism sector between the two nations.

This meeting took place during the official events surrounding Fathy’s participation in the 126th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Executive Council, currently being held in Toledo, Spain.

The ministers began their discussions by emphasizing the strong brotherly ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which serve as a foundation for expanding collaboration, particularly in tourism. They praised the notable progress in their bilateral cooperation recently and reaffirmed their commitment to continued joint coordination to achieve mutual interests.

The meeting addressed ways to stimulate inter-country tourism and discussed the impact of regional developments on the tourism sector. Both sides expressed confidence in the sector’s ability to adapt to challenges while maintaining performance levels.

Challenges facing the aviation sector were also examined, especially concerning rising operational costs. The importance of maintaining air connectivity between tourist destinations was highlighted as essential for stabilizing and accelerating tourism recovery.

During the meeting, Sharif Fathy showcased major events recently hosted by Egypt, particularly at the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. These events have received international acclaim, reflecting Egypt’s capacity to host global activities in a safe and stable environment.

Al-Khateeb commended the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries. He conveyed greetings from Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah to Fathy and congratulated him on this year’s successful Hajj season, during which Egypt received the “Silver Labeit” award.

Attending from the Saudi side were Princess Haifa Al-Muqrin, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Spain; Hozan Nasif, Undersecretary for International Affairs at the Ministry of Tourism; and Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Chief Administrator for the Minister of Tourism. From Egypt’s side were Rana Gohar, Advisor to the Minister for Communication and External Relations; and Dr. Ahmed Nabil, Assistant Minister for Aviation and Monitoring.