Invest-Gate launched its 26th Roundtable on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to shed light on the growing integration between the real estate and tourism sectors in Egypt. This integration is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of the country’s future development model, reflecting a strategic shift led by Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, and Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, in line with Egypt Vision 2030.
The roundtable took place at the Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo “Alf Leila We Leila” Ballroom under the theme “From Heritage to Horizons: Integrating Real Estate and Tourism Investment Opportunities.” The event brought together a distinguished group of government officials, top developers, and industry experts from both sectors. Discussions highlighted a renewed understanding that real estate extends beyond physical construction to embody the creation of sustainable living destinations, cultural landmarks, and world-class tourism attractions.
The sessions were moderated by Mr. Moataz Sedky, General Manager of Travco Holidays Egypt. Distinguished participants included senior government officials and industry leaders: Dr. Eng. Abdelkhalek Ibrahim, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities; Eng. Khaled Sedeik Chairman of the Board of Urban Development Fund ,Dr. Mostafa Mounir, CEO of Tourism Development Authority; Mr. Mohamed Youssef, CEO Advisor of General Authority of Investment and Free Zones (GAFI); and Mr. Hisham El Demery, CEO of E.G.O.T.H.
Also in attendance were Mr. Karim Sultan, CEO of DCUD (Delta Capital for Urban Development); Eng. Mostafa El Sherif, Chief Development Officer of DCUD (Delta Capital for Urban Development); Dr. Bahaa Salem, Group President of Al Salem Holding; Eng. Amr Gazarin, Executive Chairman of Orascom Pyramids; Mr. Alaa Akel, CEO and Chairman of Jaz Hotel Group; Mr. Karim Shafei, Chairman & CEO of Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment; Mr. Omar El Tayebi, CEO of TLD – The Land Developers; and Eng. Ahmed Ehab, CEO of Madaar Developments.
Further participants included Dr. Wael El Wardany, Chief Operation Officer of Vantage Developments; Mr. Asser Hamdy, Member of the Core Tourism Committee of AmCham; Mr. Ayman Abbas, Chairman of Intro Holding; Mr. Ahmed Kira, Managing Director of Horof Group for Touristic Projects; Ms. Maha AbdelRazek, CEO of Misr Real Estate Assets Management; Mr. Adham Elbedewy, Executive Vice President of Brassbell Hospitality Group; and Mr. Moataz Amin, Founder and CEO of Prime Hospitality Management Group.
In light of this, the key recommendations can be summarized as follows:
First: Policies and Legislation
1. Accelerate the issuance and enforcement of laws that regulate integration between real estate and tourism, particularly Tourism Licensing Law No. (8) of 2022, to reduce bureaucracy and facilitate project implementation.
2. Unify licensing and investment approval procedures through mechanisms such as the “Golden License”, thereby shortening approval cycles and enhancing investor attraction.
3. Develop a joint system of investment incentives for both real estate and tourism sectors, including tax exemptions and credit facilities for projects that combine hospitality and residential components.
4. Activate international arbitration mechanisms to settle disputes with foreign investors, strengthening confidence in Egypt’s investment climate.
5. Launch a unified national map of integrated real estate–tourism projects that identifies development priorities in heritage sites, coastal zones, and new urban centers.
6. Enhance inter-ministerial coordination among the relevant authorities (Tourism, Housing, Investment, and Environment) through a permanent committee tasked with following up on integrated destination projects.
7. Establish a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to follow up on the implementation of integration policies, investment incentives, and public–private partnerships, ensuring measurable progress and accountability.8. Encourage developers to include hospitality components within real estate projects through incentives or integration quotas.
Second: Real Estate Development
9. Encourage developers to integrate hospitality components within new real estate projects (such as Branded Residences and Mixed-Use Developments).
10. Generalize smart city models and apply digital transformation tools in licensing, operations, and real estate marketing systems.
11. Expand integrated residential communities in high-density governorates such as those in the Delta region, supported by desert hinterlands suitable for urban expansion.
12. Embed sustainability, local identity, and visual harmony within architectural design to enhance the long-term attractiveness of destinations.
Third: Tourism Sector Development
13. Enhance the overall tourist experience and service quality from arrival to departure by improving staff training, applying international hospitality standards, and streamlining procedures—ultimately boosting tourism revenues.
14. Diversify and promote sustainable tourism products, including leisure, cultural, medical, eco-tourism, and heritage experiences, to extend visitors’ stays and increase spending while preserving environmental assets.
15. Expand heritage hotel projects and restore historical assets to serve as cultural and tourist landmarks.
16. Accelerate the implementation of plans to add more than 300,000 new hotel rooms, increasing accommodation capacity to meet the target of 30 million tourists annually.
17. Encourage the conversion of small residential units into hospitality products, reducing processing time to meet the growing demand for serviced apartments.
Fourth: Awareness and Promotion
18. Diversify tourism activities to include shopping, conferences, wellness, heritage, and domestic tourism.
19. Strengthen partnerships with international institutions and media to promote Egypt globally as an integrated destination that combines real estate investment with tourism potential.
20. Enhance the airport arrival experience and expand airport infrastructure capacity to improve the tourist’s first impression and accommodate future visitor growth.
Fifth: Operational Efficiency in Tourism and Real Estate
21. Enhance internal transportation and logistics systems to ensure smooth, safe connectivity between tourism and real estate destinations.
22. Replicate successful models, such as the Giza Pyramids Development Project, which integrates tourism, culture, and sustainable mobility as a benchmark for future initiatives.
