Arab Finance: Egypt's tourism sector posted historic growth in 2025, welcoming 19 million visitors, marking a 21% growth rate as compared to 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. This exceeds the global average rate of 5%, estimated by the UN Tourism.

Tourism revenues hit $5.5 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of fiscal year (FY) 2025/2026, up by 14% year-on-year (YoY) from $4.8 billion, according to the Central Bank of Egypt’s (CBE) latest balance of payment (BoP) report.

As for the online travel agencies (OTAs) and tourism apps market in Egypt, it has fueled this surge, powering a market valued at $1.2 billion in 2024, as per a report by Ken Research.  Hence, IMARC Group expects the market size to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.79% during 2025-2033, driven by digital adoption, hotel bookings, and the rising platforms like those simplifying reservations toward the goal of 500,000 rooms by 2030.

Hence, Bokoo Travel has carved a niche through comprehensive marketing and an intuitive booking platform that streamlines reservations across Egypt and beyond.

In this regard, Arab Finance interviewed Mohamed Roshdy, CEO of Bokoo Travel, to discuss how the company differentiates from global platforms and targets high-growth segments, in addition to expansions amid rising expatriate and regional demand.

1-Can you walk us through Bokoo Travel's core business model? In particular, how do you balance hotel and motel management/marketing in Egypt with your international expansion?

Bokoo Travel's core business model is tourism marketing for all tourism services, including ecotourism, religious tourism, and medical tourism, combined with e-marketing through a booking website that simplifies the search for all hotels in any region of any country.

This model streamlines the booking process for clients, making it effortless and quick. It eliminates the need for traditional email responses, except in very limited circumstances or for large groups. This allows us to expand further within Egypt, then regionally, and subsequently internationally.

2-What unique value does Bokoo Travel bring to hotel owners and operators through your tourism marketing services that sets you apart from traditional management firms?

We strive to increase hotel occupancy rates and guest numbers through both domestic and international marketing, offering competitive prices. Our online marketing services facilitate bookings for clients of all nationalities, and we provide transportation during their stay. We can also add entertainment programs and excursions if needed.

Given the large number of tourism marketing companies in Egypt and abroad, and the competitive pricing, our most valuable asset—and the key to attracting clients—is our 24/7 customer service. This includes a rapid response to client requests, processing and follow-up until the client fully benefits from their experience, and swift action in case of any issues that might disrupt their comfort.

We offer competitive prices and provide all services under one roof, a commitment we always strive to uphold.

3-In a crowded market, how does Bokoo differentiate its services from global giants like Booking.com or Expedia?

Booking online is easy, but it becomes more difficult when you want to modify or cancel your reservation for any reason, or even just to ask a question. Communication and responses can be challenging, requiring constant follow-up via email or online customer service, which can take a long time to get a satisfactory answer. That's why we at Bokoo Travel are always available to our clients. A message or phone call is all it takes to hear their questions and address them as quickly as possible. We offer competitive prices, comprehensive travel services, and a strong team to provide our clients with everything they need to enjoy their trip, all from one place, unlike other booking websites.

4-Your specialized tourism offerings—medical, religious, and eco-tourism—seem like high-growth niches. What inspired this focus, and what percentage of your revenue do they represent?

Tourism encompasses various types, but the focus is usually on leisure tourism. In fact, I would venture to say that a large percentage of regular travelers are unaware of other types of tourism, which can offer a unique and enjoyable experience, making them eager to embark on a new adventure.

Religious tourism and ecotourism offer different experiences and unique cultures, as does medical tourism. Therefore, we have focused on these types and are striving to promote them locally and then attract tourists from abroad.

The revenue from these types is approximately 10%, which is unfortunately not yet the desired percentage. However, the trend is upward, and we will soon reach our target of 30% of revenue.

5-What are the biggest challenges facing Egypt's hospitality and tourism sector today, and how is Bokoo positioning itself to capitalize on recovery post-pandemic?

The increased cost of tourism services, resulting from higher fuel prices and foreign exchange rates, has led to higher prices for customers. This has resulted in a loss of a segment of middle-class customers who were accustomed to traveling to moderately priced destinations for leisure, even if only once a year.

However, we have tried to create more affordable programs to help this segment continue traveling at their usual costs.

6-What key metrics do you track to measure success in hotel occupancy and marketing return on investment (ROI) for your clients?

We track sales volume, growth rate, number of clients, number of agreements with hotels and suppliers, and internal and external market penetration.

7-Which nationalities represent the largest share of Bokoo Travel's reservations, and how do they influence your service offerings, like visa processing or tailored packages?

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Jordan. We process all types of visas, whether for Egyptians leaving the country or foreigners coming to Egypt.

We also assist with security clearances, if necessary, for certain nationalities to facilitate their arrival. We create comprehensive tourist programs for the duration of their stay in Egypt.

8-Which areas in Egypt generate the most bookings for tourists and expatriates through Bokoo, and why?

Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada lead due to their Red Sea beaches, diving, and all-inclusive resorts, drawing leisure seekers year-round. Luxor and Aswan top cultural bookings for ancient sites like temples and Nile cruises, appealing to history enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, Cairo has surged post-Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opening, attracting urban explorers and business travelers. The North Coast thrives in summer for expatriate beach escapes and family vacations.

9-How is Bokoo responding to the surge in demand for expatriate-focused services in emerging hotspots like New Alamein City?

By establishing agreements with hotels in the area at the lowest possible prices to create comprehensive packages including flights or limousine transfers, focusing on the area's most important landmarks and attractions to be included in the itinerary.

10-With Egypt's hotel room supply nearing 240,000 and government targets for 500,000 more by 2030, how is Bokoo capitalizing on this expansion in room marketing and management?

Doubling the number of hotel rooms in Egypt will consequently lead to a doubling of the company's tourism marketing and online presence. This allows us to target a larger audience, especially during peak seasons when hotels are forced to close bookings early due to high demand.

From another perspective, it will also allow us, as a company, to hire more staff to maintain the same level of efficiency regardless of increased demand.

11-Looking ahead, what growth strategies is Bokoo pursuing?

Bokoo pursues the following:

• Local expansion through partnerships with a large number of hotels and service providers whose products are marketed within the company.
• Regional expansion through e-marketing and the development of booking platforms and a mobile application to support this objective.
• Reviewing and considering suggestions from customers and company employees to ensure the company effectively meets actual market demands through continuous market analysis.
• Establishing new branches in several governorates within Egypt and at least one branch outside Egypt to increase regional and international reach.

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