Egypt's tourism growth limits beach access for locals

Egypt's tourism industry is seeing significant growth, with projections suggesting the country could reach 20 million foreign visitors by 2026. This surge is driven by the Red Sea resorts, which serve as a vital source of foreign currency for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's administration to manage national debt.

However, this economic strategy has led to a rapid privatization of the coastline. The number of private beaches in Egypt has increased from approximately 150 a decade ago to over 500 today. Political analyst Maged Mandour notes that the regime is selling off beaches to sustain the economy, which may eventually leave ordinary Egyptian citizens unable to afford access to their own shores.