March 2 — Cairo: Aswan has been selected as the D-8 Tourist City of the Year 2026, marking the second consecutive year the Egyptian city has received the distinction.
The award followed competition with other nominated cities from member states of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation. Iran nominated Tabriz, while Azerbaijan and Pakistan also submitted candidates, although the names of their cities were not publicly announced.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Aswan’s selection came after Egypt submitted a comprehensive nomination dossier prepared jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The submission included detailed promotional materials showcasing the city’s tourism potential and attractions.
Established in 1997, the D-8 organization aims to strengthen economic cooperation among developing countries in several sectors, including tourism. Its member states include Egypt, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey, representing a combined population of more than 1.2 billion people.
The ministry stated that the award recognizes Aswan’s rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and natural beauty, along with its increasing reputation as an international tourist destination.
Officials noted that the recognition is expected to enhance Aswan’s visibility within D-8 member markets and contribute to increased tourism flows to both the city and Egypt overall.
The Tourism City of the Year award is considered one of the D-8’s leading initiatives, designed to promote sustainable tourism and raise the profile of destinations within member countries. The selection process involves a competitive vote among D-8 states, based on criteria such as cultural assets, tourism infrastructure, promotional readiness, and future growth potential.
In 2025, the inaugural award was granted to Antalya, Turkey, which was selected by consensus in recognition of its developed tourism infrastructure, cultural and historical attractions, and experience in hosting international visitors.
Tourism continues to be a key source of foreign currency for Egypt, alongside remittances, Suez Canal revenues, and foreign investment inflows.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt received nearly 19 million visitors in 2025, representing a 21 percent increase compared to 2024. This growth significantly exceeded the global average tourism growth rate of approximately 5 percent, based on United Nations estimates, underscoring the sector’s resilience.
Egypt has set a target of attracting 30 million tourists annually by 2028.
