Abercrombie & Kent reports strong and sustained growth in demand for Egypt, reflecting renewed global interest, long-term investment and growing confidence in the destination among luxury travellers.
Demand is rising across the UK, US and Australian markets, with Egypt performing strongly across private travel, small group journeys and high-end celebrations.
For British travellers, Cairo, in particular, is seeing renewed interest as travellers seek deeper cultural context, museum-led experiences and expert interpretation alongside the classic Nile journey.
The long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is a key catalyst: located beside the Giza Plateau, the museum is the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilisation and, for the first time, brings together the complete collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures.
A&K Egypt SVP Amr Badr said of this significant development: "The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has been transformative; we've seen a significant surge in enquiries since November, and the calibre of traveller is remarkable. These are culturally curious guests seeking genuine immersion rather than surface-level touring. They're booking private after-hours access to the museum, arranging consultations with Egyptologists, and approaching Egypt with the same intentionality they'd bring to any major cultural pilgrimage. Egypt has always been extraordinary, but 2026 feels like a renaissance moment: the perfect convergence of world-class infrastructure and a new generation discovering why this civilisation has captivated humanity for millennia."
Egypt holds a singular place in the company’s history: A&K’s relationship with the Nile dates back to founder Geoffrey Kent’s pioneering vision, inspired by a chance encounter with David Niven on the set of Death on the Nile in 1977.
Kent subsequently leased the SS Memnon, launching A&K’s first Nile cruise and establishing a legacy of innovation that continues today.
Sailing on the Nile in style
This momentum comes as Abercrombie & Kent continues to invest in Egypt for the long term, as the company will launch Nile Seray, the newest addition to its luxury Nile riverboat fleet, later this year.
The vessel will also feature in a new private journey launching for 2026, marking the first published itinerary to showcase the ship.
The journey will include rare access, such as after-hours entry at the Valley of the Kings.
Egypt in a nutshell
The A&K country performance report highlighted the following details:
United States
- Some Egypt Small Group Journeys up over 100 percent year-on-year
- Strong growth across a range of itineraries, including Egypt-focused journeys combining Cairo, the Nile and neighbouring regions
- Continued momentum across multiple journey lengths and price points
- Forward demand extending into 2027, with strong early bookings
United Kingdom
- Egypt currently ranks as the second most popular destination
- Growing interest in private dahabiya charters, complementing demand for classic Nile river cruises
- Continued appetite for expert-led, trusted travel, with reassurance and in-destination knowledge playing a key role in decision-making
Australia
- Repeat high-spend travellers returning to Egypt for milestone celebrations, including anniversary trips
- Increasing demand for bespoke private experiences, from exclusive dinners to highly personalised touring, often with guests joining from multiple countries
