Elevate Egypt roundtable highlights hospitality’s role in vision 2030, through leveraging technology

EGYPT – At the “Elevate Egypt: Branded Living and Hospitality” roundtable hosted by Invest-Gate, industry experts underscored the hospitality sector’s pivotal role in driving tourism and supporting Egypt’s Vision 2030, with key discussions centered leveraging AI and IoT to enhance luxury accommodations.

Deputy Minister Abdelkhalek Ibrahim of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities stressed the urgent need to integrate Greater Cairo’s establishments into the global tourism network while leveraging advanced technologies for enhanced resilience and sustainability in hospitality projects.

He emphasized that adopting best practices for operational efficiency is crucial as the region works to transform the North Coast into an international tourism hub.

In particular, emerging hospitality and serviced living projects in New Alamein and Ras El Hekma are set to play a pivotal role in this vision.

A central challenge discussed was converting New Alamein from a seasonal summer retreat into a vibrant, year-round destination.

The Ministry of Housing has devised strategies to drive this transformation, while proposals were also raised to position New Aswan as a premier medical tourism destination, capitalizing on its potential for wellness and therapeutic travel.

Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Yomna Elbahar highlighted the critical role of real estate investment in fortifying the tourism sector.

She noted that increasing the supply of serviced apartments meeting ministry standards is essential, as many travelers, particularly families, prefer these accommodations for their privacy and immersive experiences over traditional resorts.

She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to setting minimum standards and diversifying accommodation options to help attract 30 million tourists annually by 2030.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Hotels Organization Chairperson Mohamed Ayoub pointed out that numerous unlicensed serviced apartments remain in circulation, estimating that between 50,000 and 70,000 units could be integrated into the licensed sector if regulatory and conversion challenges are addressed.

Ahmed El Nesr, CEO of ALDAU Development’s Real Estate Division, observed a shift in developer priorities from mere property sales to enhancing overall living experiences, noting that branded residences command a 10–20% premium due to their superior quality.

Capital Holding’s CCO Dahlia El Kordy underscored the indirect marketing benefits of trophy properties, along with the pressing need for infrastructure upgrades, airport expansions, and improved service provider training.

Travco Properties’ Omar Abdel Ghaffar advocated for bolstering North Coast infrastructure and promoting the development of Alamein International Airport, while Prime Hospitality Management Group CEO Moataz Amin clarified that branded residences offer ownership with international standards, in contrast to rental-focused serviced apartments.

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