Egypt Secures Third Place in Africa on 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index

Egypt has achieved a significant milestone, ranking third in Africa and 63rd globally in the 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index. This influential index is a collaborative effort between the World Economic Forum and the Zurich Insurance Group, as reported by the African economic news agency “Ecofin.” Mauritius leads the African continent at 59th globally, with South Africa following in second place (61st globally), and Egypt securing the third position.

It is important to note that this index does not directly measure tourist numbers, spending volumes, or tourism-related revenue. Instead, it evaluates the foundational environment that enables countries to attract and sustainably develop tourism, alongside their capacity to foster the sector's growth. The comprehensive index analyzes 110 countries using 102 sub-indicators across five key dimensions: security and stability, infrastructure and air transport, policies and visa regulations, price competitiveness, digital services, tourism resources, and sustainability.

While Egypt's third-place ranking in Africa is a notable accomplishment, the report also identifies crucial areas for enhancement. These include improving service quality, streamlining procedures, expanding hotel capacity, elevating the overall tourist experience, and bolstering air connectivity and sustainability efforts. Egypt's primary challenge moving forward is to leverage its substantial tourism assets to achieve greater outcomes, such as increasing tourist arrivals, boosting average spending, and extending visitor stays, thereby solidifying its position on the global tourism map.