Invest-Gate held its 24th roundtable, and the first of 2025, titled “Elevate Egypt: Branded Living and Hospitality,” on Sunday, February 16, at the Nile Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Cairo.
This roundtable was moderated by Mr. Moataz Sedky, Travco Holidays Egypt General Manager, and witnessed the participation of a group of senior officials, executives and experts in the Egyptian real estate and hospitality sector, including: Mr. Mohamed Ayoub, Egyptian Hotels Organization Chairman; Eng. Fathallah Fawzy, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association and Chairman of the Real Estate Development and Contracting Committee; Eng. Ahmed El Nesr, ALDAU Development CEO – Real Estate Division; Eng. Tamer Nasser, City Edge Developments CEO; Mr. Omar El Tayebi, TLD-The Land Developers CEO; Ms. Dahlia El kordy, A Capital Holding CCO; Mr. Omar Abdel Ghaffar, Travco Properties Managing Director and Board Member; Mr. Moataz Amin, Prime Hospitality Management Group Founder & CEO; Eng. Ahmed Ehab, Madaar Development CEO; Mr. Abdelmeguid Amer, Amer Group Board Member; Eng. Mohamed Alaasar, Margins Developments Chairman; Dr. Mohamed Abd El Gawad, Vantage Developments Founder and Chairman; and Mr. Ahmed Youssef El Araby, Kelma Development Consulting CEO.
The roundtable concluded with several key recommendations aimed at advancing real estate and hospitality investment in Egypt in the coming period, focusing on five main pillars: Digital Transformation & Data Accessibility; Enhancing the Investment Climate & Promoting Egypt Globally; Regulatory & Bureaucratic Reforms; Infrastructure Development & Policy Enhancements; and Workforce & Community Development.
1. Digital Transformation & Data Accessibility
• Establish a centralized digital platform for investment opportunities and real estate data.
• Standardize licensing and regulatory approvals through a unified digital system.
• Ensure accurate and updated real estate sector data to aid investors.
2. Enhancing the Investment Climate & Promoting Egypt Globally
• Develop financing mechanisms for hospitality investments, including serviced apartments.
• Enhance marketing efforts for Egyptian real estate internationally.
• Organize regional investment-focused events to attract foreign investors.
• Implement a structured tourism calendar for various Egyptian destinations.
3. Regulatory & Bureaucratic Reforms
• Streamline land allocation and licensing processes to encourage investment.
• Develop a standardized model for serviced apartments in collaboration with the government.
• Extend payment periods for developers to at least 7 years to support cash flow.
• Reduce tax burdens on entertainment and tourism-related events.
• Review the technical requirements for hotel projects while introducing advanced technological techniques to allow greater flexibility for developers without compromising the quality of the tourism product.
• Reevaluate mandatory hotel room allocations for mixed-use projects in some regions such as Ain Sokhna and Hurghada.
• Introduce clear regulations for selling different property types, ensuring transparency.
4. Infrastructure Development & Policy Enhancements
• Strengthen water desalination infrastructure and upgrade airports to increase accessibility.
• Implement global standards for hospitality services, including sustainable practices.
• Improve urban planning for branded residences to align with international benchmarks.
• Reduce constant legislative changes that disrupt investment plans.
• Lower mortgage interest rates to stimulate private sector investments.
5. Workforce & Community Development
• Expand employee housing projects in new urban areas to support tourism and real estate sectors.
• Revise finishing and construction policies to ensure properties are delivered move-in ready.
• Introduce tax incentives (“Tax Holidays”) for major tourism projects to boost competitiveness.
In conclusion, these recommendations reflect a clear vision for advancing the real estate and hotel sector in Egypt, enhancing its regional competitiveness and aligning with Vision 2030, which aims to attract 30 million tourists annually.
