community, particularly in tourism and real estate, welcomed the strategic partnership agreement between SUNRISE Resorts & Hotels and Minor Hotels, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups and the owner of several renowned hotel brands, most notably Anantara, which will be introduced to the Egyptian market for the first time. The agreement was witnessed by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy at the Cabinet headquarters.
According to leaders in the tourism and hospitality sector, the agreement injects new momentum into Egyptian tourism and marks an important step toward strengthening its international image, attracting more high-spending visitors, and boosting revenues. They added that the partnership not only reflects growing global confidence in Egypt as one of the most attractive tourism and investment destinations in the Middle East and worldwide, but also holds significant potential for the future of Egyptian tourism.
Under the agreement, Sunrise will work with Minor to execute an expansion plan targeting the opening and management of 50 new hotels in Egypt. The partnership also encompasses Madaar Development, with an initial phase launching for major hotels within Madaar’s projects, signalling a strong start that underscores the group’s capability to deliver world-class hospitality and residential projects.
The agreement was signed at the Cabinet headquarters by Mr. Hossam El Shaer, Chairman of SUNRISE Resorts & Hotels and Madaar Development, and Mr. William E. Heinecke, Chairman and founder of Minor Hotels, who has led the group since its establishment in 1978 with more than four decades of experience.
This milestone aligns with the country’s vision to reinforce tourism and hospitality as a cornerstone of the national economy and to advance key objectives by facilitating investment, particularly in the tourism sector, to expand Egypt’s hotel capacity with leading international brands that reflect the stature of the destination. It also supports projects aimed at securing foreign currency inflows and creating substantial employment opportunities.
The entry of a global hotel brand such as Anantara, along with other renowned Minor brands, into the Egyptian market marks an important milestone that underscores the growing confidence in the sector’s attractiveness. Minor Hotels is one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, operating a network of more than 640 hotels and resorts across 59 countries on six continents. Its portfolio includes over 80,000 rooms, more than 3,000 restaurants, and upwards of 50 leading brands.
In this context, H.E. Mostafa Madbouly, the prime minister of Egypt affirmed that tourism investment represents an important pillar within the Egyptian state’s current and future agenda, noting that efforts are underway to increase the number of hotel rooms in partnership with both national and international private sector players, particularly in light of the intensive efforts to strengthen the factors supporting the attraction of tourist inflows.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Hossam El Shaer, Chairman of Sunrise Resorts & Cruises and Madaar Development, said: “Egypt’s tourism industry is witnessing tangible development, reflected in stronger growth and higher revenues. Egypt is one of the world’s most important destinations, with unparalleled tourism assets, and the time has come for the country to secure its place among the top global destinations, an ambition that can only be realized by accelerating both foreign and domestic investment in tourism, in line with Egypt’s capabilities and in a way that strengthens its presence on the global tourism map.”
Mr. El Shaer added: “We are proud to partner with Minor Hotels—one of the largest hospitality institutions worldwide—in a collaboration that enhances our ongoing efforts to elevate Egypt’s hospitality and hotel sector. This step reflects our conviction in the sector’s vital role in growing tourism and contributing to the national economy.”
He continued: “Since Sunrise was founded in 2002, we have cemented our position as one of Egypt’s foremost tourism investors by developing integrated, sustainable destinations that deliver the highest service standards in Egypt and several other countries. Today’s partnership confirms international investor confidence in the strength of Egypt’s economy and the appeal of its destinations, and it supports our vision to accelerate development of the hospitality sector in line with Egypt Vision 2030.”
William E. Heinecke, Chairman & Founder of Minor International parent company of Minor Hotels commented, “Signing this joint venture with Sunrise Resorts & Cruises is an important milestone as we bring Minor Hotels’ brands and hospitality expertise to Egypt, one of the world’s most storied and inspiring destinations. Together, we are charting a long-term vision that combines SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises’ deep local knowledge with our global reach to deliver exceptional luxury and lifestyle experiences across Egypt’s leading destinations.”
This strategic collaboration between Sunrise and Minor reflects Sunrise’s vision of strengthening the hotel sector as a cornerstone of Egypt’s integrated tourism experience. It also comes at a time of significant growth in Egyptian tourism, with data from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities showing record visitor numbers expected to surpass 17 million by the end of this year, a substantial increase compared to previous years. The sector is further targeting 30 million tourists by 2030.
Furthermore, this partnership is a promising step in supporting Egypt’s tourism sector. By developing multiple hotels that align with the country’s ambitious goals to increase visitor numbers and enhance Egypt’s position as a safe, diverse, and globally appealing destination, this partnership is a significant contributor to the sector’s growth. The government’s supportive initiatives, including concessional loan programs to expand and modernize hotel facilities, and an e-learning platform to upskill sector employees, further enhance the visitor experience and contribute to the sector’s growth.
It is worth noting that, Sunrise Resorts & Cruises is among Egypt’s leading luxury hospitality brands. Its portfolio includes more than 25 hotels and resorts in prime destinations such as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Ain Sokhna, as well as floating hotels on the Nile. The group has also expanded into international markets, including Greece, Morocco, and Zanzibar, reinforcing its position as a domestic and international hotel operator.
The group’s investments extend into real estate through its development arm, Madaar Development. This arm holds a significant project portfolio, including Kinz in New Zayed, Azha Ain Sokhna, and Azha Ras El Hekma, spanning more than 1,000 acres and over 5,000 units. This integration between Sunrise and Madaar demonstrates the group’s strength in combining deep hospitality expertise with end-to-end real estate development, further elevating Egypt’s standing as a world-class tourism destination.
