Egypt named world’s Most Desirable Country for Culture at Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards

Egypt has won the Gold Award for the “Most Desirable Country for Culture and Heritage” at the 25th annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards in London, ranking ahead of several leading international tourism destinations.

The award, determined by votes from readers of the prominent British travel magazine Wanderlust, reflects international travellers’ preferences and experiences.

Ahmed Yousry, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, received the award during a ceremony held at the historic Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, attended by approximately 500 executives from the travel and tourism industry.

The ceremony featured a keynote address by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who founded the sustainable travel initiative Travalyst.

Prince Harry highlighted the importance of promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices and strengthening cross-sector cooperation to safeguard the industry’s future.

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, welcomed the recognition, saying it reinforces the country’s distinctive position on the global tourism map.

He noted that the award reflects Egypt’s rich ancient heritage, thousands of years of civilisation, and exceptional network of museums and archaeological sites.

Fathy added that the recognition acknowledges national efforts to preserve Egypt’s historical assets through ongoing maintenance and restoration works, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.

These efforts form part of the ministry’s broader strategy to showcase Egypt’s cultural diversity, improve the visitor experience and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in international tourism markets, he said.

For his part, Yousry said the Gold Award further reinforces Egypt’s reputation among cultural travellers seeking authentic and enriching experiences that connect its historical legacy with modern travel expectations.

He added that the accolade builds on Egypt’s growing list of international recognitions, supporting promotional campaigns aimed at attracting both first-time visitors and returning tourists.