Egypt’s travel industry is no stranger to ups and downs, but the country, which was expecting a banner year for tourism in 2026, was thrown a curveball during the start of the Iran war, when a social media post by an assistant secretary in the Department of State directed Americans in 14 countries – including Egypt – to depart immediately. 

Visitors left, several tour and river cruise companies canceled departures. And then, there was no follow up, no change to the State Department consular sheet, no clear sign of danger – in fact, life in Cairo and other tourism hot spots in the country were decidedly normal.

So where does that leave tourism today? On this episode, host Rebecca Tobin speaks with tours editor Brinley Hineman and Malaka Hilton, an Egypt specialist and CEO of Admiral Travel International, on the fallout from the Iran war, today’s booking patterns, the psychology of travel to the Middle East and why now might be a great time to visit.

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com

Related reports: 

State Department's mixed signals on Egypt prompt cancellations, client concern https://www.travelweekly.com/Middle-East-Africa-Travel/State-Department-mixed-signals-on-Egypt-prompt-cancellations

Viking reinstates Egypt river cruising after reassessment https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Viking-reinstates-Nile-cruises-after-reassessment

War in the Middle East affects some tour operations https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/War-in-the-Middle-East-affects-tour-operations

Q&A with Egypt tourism minister Sharif Fathy (January 2026) https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Sherif-Fathy-Egypt-minister-tourism-antiquities