Egypt’s hotels and tourist restaurants exempt from new early closing decision

2026-03-27 - 14:31

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, has confirmed that Egypt’s tourist restaurants and hotels will remain entirely unaffected by the government’s newly announced energy rationalization measures. Despite the nationwide implementation of restricted operating hours starting Saturday, March 28, 2026, the Minister emphasized that these regulations will have no impact on the tourist experience or the high quality of services provided to visitors across the country. Minister Fathy clarified that while the government’s decision mandates a 9:00 PM closing timefor shops during the week and 10:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, all touristic destinations and restaurants are fully exempt. This exemption ensures that hospitality services continue to operate at their usual capacity and efficiency. The Minister noted that premier destinations—including Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Luxor, Aswan, and Sharm El-Sheikh—continue to welcome visitors as normal. He reaffirmed the Egyptian state’s commitment to providing a seamless, safe, and premium travel experience, maintaining Egypt’s standing as a leading global tourism hub.