Egypt set to become a regional leader in shopping tourism

"Shopping has now become an important part of the holiday experience," said H. E. Zoheir Gharana, Minister of Tourism. "Egypt appeals to tourists not only for its cultural sites, but now for its shopping - be it the latest trends in Italian fashion or Egyptian-made fine goods."

Best known for its rich history, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture, Egypt is moving quickly in building its tourism portfolio to include shopping as a key attraction for holiday-makers.

Situated at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Egypt has long been a key site for international trade, commerce and tourism. Its rich history as a market of rare and precious goods has enticed travellers to its souks abounding with luxurious textiles and high-quality gold and jewellery.

Recent economic reforms have stimulated the emergence of new malls, the deregulation of foreign textiles and an ever-growing number of tourists. All of these factors place Egypt at the forefront of an increasingly competitive regional shopping tourism segment.

"This past year, Egypt posted record-breaking numbers with 8.1 million tourists having visited. From the Gulf alone, tourist numbers have risen over 50% since this time last year, partly due to the many holidaymakers who have chosen Egypt for weekend shopping get-aways,"

said Ahmed Khadem, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority.

As people face increasing pressure on their time and resources, vacations provide the perfect opportunity to combine tourism and shopping. In a competitive market for travelling shoppers, Egypt draws from the strength of its well-established tourist infrastructure, including its numerous luxury hotels and its relaxing beachside resorts.

With expected growth of Egyptian tourism at 10% a year, the doors are wide open for the continued development of quality shopping facilities and retail outlets.

Since 2005, a number of new malls and retail outlets have opened. The high-end Turkish retailer Beyman offers the latest from European designers at its pristine location in Cairo's Four Seasons Hotel at Nile Plaza, and the MAF Group's City Centre Malls are now found throughout Cairo and Alexandria.

A new luxury mall, City Stars, developed by the Saudi entrepreneur Sharabatly, attracts a wide variety of shoppers to its Virgin Megastore, international clothiers and traditional Egyptian souvenirs.

"Egypt not only provides great value at lower prices than elsewhere in the region," said Ahmed Khadem, "it offers this all in a modern, high-end setting. The new malls combine luxury hotels with top-of-the-line stores and a number of movie theatres playing the most popular Egyptian films."

No longer only a destination for extended summer vacations, Egypt now draws many of its tourists for long weekends.

Egyptian tourism initiatives extend beyond shopping to include a growing market for health care, plastic surgery and therapeutic retreats.