Egypt imposes tourism fee on hotel stays to support new fund

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Egypt has imposed an additional fee for hotel accommodation at one percent of the price of a room to boost the tourism and antiquities support fund.

The decision came into effect on March 1, Egypt Today newspaper reported.

The fees will be paid at a rate of not less than 5 pounds and not more than 50 pounds. In addition, the same percentage will be imposed on safari yachts.

The new fee will be applied to hotel establishments, tourist companies, and restaurants.

Egypt’s tourism minister Ahmed Issa said the country aims to boost tourism by up to 30 percent annually over the next five years, bringing private firms to operate sites and inaugurating a huge museum around the end of 2023.

Tourism is a crucial source of foreign currency and jobs for Egypt’s struggling economy. The sector earned $10.75 billion in the financial year ending in June 2022, up from $4.86 billion the prior year, when it was hurt by the pandemic.

Issa said a rebound in visitor numbers from European and other markets was making up for the shortfall from Russia and Ukraine, expecting a surge in Chinese tourists this year.

The minister added that Egypt will seek to develop the market for independent travellers alongside tour operator packages in the long term.