馃嚜馃嚞EgyptNorth Africa
Luxor's archaeological sites experience surge in international tourism
via Egypt Today1 min read
Tourism in Luxor is flourishing with a significant increase in international visitors to its ancient temples and archaeological sites. This influx is revitalizing activity at tombs and temples on both the East and West Banks of the Nile. Daily crowds are visiting Luxor Temple, built during King Amenhotep III's reign, which attracts visitors from approximately 38 countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, the United States, Brazil, China, France, and Japan. Additionally, hot air balloon flights have resumed after weather-related cancellations, with 37 balloons carrying about 900 tourists on Monday. These flights offer panoramic views of the West Bank, allowing visitors to see ancient monuments and the Nile River from 2,000 feet. Hot air ballooning is a popular part of the Luxor experience, highlighting the city's appeal for historical exploration and adventure tourism.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty met with a delegation from the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on the sidelines of the Jerusalem Conference in Cairo. Abdelatty stressed that regional security depends on restoring the Palestinian people's rights and implementing the US president's peace plan for Gaza. He condemned Israeli violations in the West Bank, including settlement expansion, land confiscation, and incursions into religious sites. Abdelatty urged the UN committee to mobilize international pressure within the United Nations to ensure compliance with international law, reiterating Egypt's rejection of attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause or displace Palestinians. The delegation, led by Cheikh Niang, expressed appreciation for Egypt鈥檚 role in defending Palestinian rights.
Cairo hosted high-level meetings on Sunday, July 19, 2026, aimed at supporting peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa. Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty held separate talks with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, Somalian Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, and Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the U.S. President on Arab and African Affairs. These quadrilateral consultations are part of ongoing coordination to enhance regional security, support peace efforts, and address security challenges. In their bilateral meetings, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Eritrea affirmed that the security and governance of the Red Sea are the exclusive responsibility of bordering countries, rejecting attempts by non-littoral parties to impose security arrangements or secure maritime access in violation of international law.
A Reuters poll indicates the Egyptian pound is projected to strengthen to LE 49 against the U.S. dollar by the end of June 2027. The survey, conducted between July 7 and 16, also suggests broadly stable expectations for Egypt鈥檚 economic growth, with concerns over the Middle East conflict's economic impact easing. Economists forecast Egypt's economy to have grown by 4.8 percent in fiscal year 2025/26, an increase from the 4.6 percent forecast in April. Growth is expected to slow to 4.5 percent in 2026/27 before accelerating to 5.3 percent in 2027/28 and 5.5 percent in 2028/29. Official figures show the economy expanded by 5 percent in the January-March 2026 quarter. The Central Bank of Egypt projected average real GDP growth of about 5 percent for the fiscal year ending June 2026. The improved outlook for the pound, from an earlier forecast of LE 51.5 and a current rate of approximately LE 50.6 per dollar, reflects greater optimism. Dominic Bartos, an associate economist at Moody鈥檚 Analytics, noted Egypt's economy remains in an expansionary phase. The poll also highlighted improvements in economic indicators, including a 31.2 percent increase in remittances to $43.1 billion between July 2025 and May 2026, recovering tourism revenues, Suez Canal receipts, and an increase in foreign-exchange reserves to $55 billion by June 2026. The International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt in June, potentially providing an additional $1.6 billion in financing. Despi