Egypt Outlines Plans to Become Regional Tourism Hub in Bangkok Meeting with Minor International

Tourism Hub Ambitions

Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty outlined the government’s strategy to position Egypt as a regional tourism hub by developing airports, modernising its air transport fleet and expanding connectivity with international markets, according to Egypt Independent. He said the move aims to boost Egypt’s share of regional tourism as competition intensifies across the Arab world.

Bangkok Meeting with Minor International

Abdelatty made the remarks during a meeting on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Bangkok with William Heinecke, Chairman of Thailand‑based Minor International, one of the Asia‑Pacific region’s largest hospitality and restaurant groups. The discussion focused on ways to expand the company’s investments in Egypt, particularly in tourism and hospitality, amid promising opportunities in the Egyptian market.

Workforce Training and Partnerships

The foreign minister expressed Egypt’s interest in working with Minor International to develop vocational and technical training programmes that would prepare qualified Egyptian personnel for jobs in the hotel and tourism sectors. He noted that such cooperation would help meet growing workforce needs, attract more tourists — especially from Asian markets — and enhance Egypt’s competitiveness as a tourist destination in line with international standards.

Existing Partnerships and New Projects

Abdelatty welcomed Minor International’s plans to expand its presence in Egypt, highlighting a partnership agreement signed with an Egyptian company in October 2025 in the presence of the prime minister, as well as the launch of a residential and hotel units project on the Red Sea coast.

Investment Opportunities in Emerging Cities

He reaffirmed the Egyptian government’s support for such investment partnerships and expressed hope that the company would diversify its investment portfolio in Egypt and extend cooperation to other tourist destinations. Abdelatty also pointed to investment opportunities arising from Egypt’s development of new cities, particularly the New Capital and New Alamein City.