Egypt and South Korea explore new tourism opportunities at Cairo seminar

CAIRO – 4 October 2025: To strengthen cultural and civilizational ties between Egypt and South Korea, Cairo hosted a seminar on Korean tourism (K-Tourism), organized by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the Korean Embassy in Cairo.

Ten leading Korean companies in the tourism sector participated in the seminar, exchanging business ideas and project opportunities with over 100 Egyptian travel agencies and tourism companies. The event took place at the St. Regis Hotel in Cairo on Thursday.

South Korea offers a wide array of tourist attractions, including natural landscapes, traditional music, K-pop concerts, Korean cuisine (K-food), shopping, and advanced technology. Additionally, it is globally recognized for its skincare and beauty products. These features can be experienced in major tourist destinations such as Seoul, Busan- a coastal city- and the volcanic Jeju Island.

“Korea is a highly advanced country and a promising tourism market with diverse offerings, but few in Egypt are fully aware of this. Meanwhile, Egypt represents a large market with many companies. Therefore, we see an excellent opportunity for both countries to engage in mutually beneficial tourism and cultural exchange,” said Magdy Ibrahim, Director of Smart Solution, a consulting firm specializing in business and travel.

He added that Smart Solution aims to connect companies across borders to facilitate new business ventures. The company also co-organized the event in cooperation with the Korean Tourism Organization and the Korean Embassy.

“Tourism to Korea is gaining global popularity. Previously, most tourists came from Asian countries, but now visitors are increasingly coming from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and North Africa,” said the Director of the KTO MENA regional office Jong Ji-man in his opening remarks. He noted that Korea welcomed 19 million tourists this year, a record high. Egyptian inbound tourism to Korea is also growing, with more than 5,000 Egyptian tourists in 2025 compared to just over 2,000 in 2023. This marks a 15% increase from last year, with projections expecting the number to surpass 7,000 by year’s end.

 

The seminar also featured welcoming remarks from Ambassador Kim Young-hyun of the Republic of Korea and Nader El-Beblawi, Chairman of the Egyptian Travel and Tourism Association.

Chris Kim, Director of the Korean travel agency "KIM’s M&T," told Egypt Today that his company, which offers high-end tourism services and VIP travel packages, is looking to expand in the Middle East. He said this expansion is the reason behind his participation in the seminar, following an invitation from the Korean Ministry of Tourism.

He explained that one of the previous barriers to tourism was visa issuance, but recent efforts by both governments have eased the process, making it more convenient for Egyptian tourists to visit Korea.

Egyptian content creator and influencer Farah Medhat, who has promoted Korean tourism since 2020 and visited the country four times, shared her personal experiences at the event.

“Korea is so unique; that’s why I love going there,” she said passionately. “It’s a place where nature and city life beautifully coexist. If you love the energy of a city, you’ll find it. If you prefer calm and quiet, you’ll find that too.”

She added, “Korea is also famous for its high-quality skincare. I once traveled there with an empty suitcase just for shopping; it's out of this world. Everything from cosmetics and fashion to food is affordable and top-notch. Egyptians should visit Korea at least once in their lifetime.”

Farah Medhat also gave a presentation about her trips, showcasing the highlights of Korean culture and lifestyle, and how Egyptians, espcially women who love shopping.

 

Among the participating agencies was "KoreaHalal," a company that designs trips tailored for Muslim tourists. The agency provides information on halal restaurants and prayer rooms in major destinations like Seoul, Nami Island, the historical fortresses, and cultural villages in Suwon. As for "Korea 360 UAE" company, it is working to connect Korean culture and pop with the Middle East’s folklore and heritage by organizing Korean concerts and providing spaces to showcase K-events and related activities.

A representative from the Korean Ministry of Tourism delivered a presentation on Korean culture and television dramas, highlighting how the global popularity of Korean TV shows has served as a catalyst for cultural cooperation between the two countries. He also emphasized Korea’s technological innovation and growing global influence. Additionally, he noted that tourists can receive tax refunds at the airport for purchases made during their visit.