Egypt has received the Gold Award for Most Desirable Country for Culture and Heritage at the 25th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards in London, based on votes from readers of the British travel magazine.
The recognition was presented at a ceremony at the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, attended by around 500 travel and tourism industry representatives.
Ahmed Yousry, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, accepted the award on behalf of the country.
Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, said the award highlighted the country’s historical legacy, archaeological sites and museums. He also credited preservation work, including restoration and maintenance projects, for helping protect its cultural assets for future generations.
Fathy said the recognition supports the ministry’s efforts to promote Egypt’s cultural offerings, improve the visitor experience and strengthen its position in international tourism markets.
Yousry said the award reinforces Egypt’s appeal to travelers interested in cultural experiences and adds to the country’s growing record of international tourism recognition.
He said the accolade will support campaigns aimed at attracting new visitors and encouraging previous guests to return.
Prince Harry delivers keynote speech at the 25th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards
The ceremony also featured a keynote address by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and founder of the Travalyst Initiative.
In his speech, he emphasized the significance of encouraging responsible and sustainable practices in the tourism industry and the cooperation of all concerned stakeholders for the sake of sustainability in the industry.
“I started Travalyst because I believe deeply in travel as a force for good. But if tourism stops working for the people who call these destinations home, eventually it stops working for everyone.”
The Duke continued:
“By collaborating as an industry, we can ensure nature survives and destinations thrive, while travel remains a source of prosperity, connection, and exploration for generations to come.”
The 25th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards took place in the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College, situated right in the center of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Among the winning countries were Costa Rica, chosen as the Most Desirable Country in the World, and Spain, which was considered the Most Desirable Country in Europe.
Wanderlust Readers chose Athens as the most desirable European city and Tokyo as the most desirable non-European city.
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