Cairo: EgyPulse – News Desk
King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia are due to embark on a two-day visit to Luxor on Thursday, marking the first visit since King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia visited in 2008. Luxor has completed the necessary preparations in anticipation of the visit, including raising Egyptian and Spanish flags. Luxor Governor Abdel-Muttalib Omara conducted an early morning tour to follow up on preparations for welcoming Egypt’s distinguished guests.
In press statements, Mohamed Osman, Chairman of the Luxor Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee, said that Luxor is eagerly awaiting the visit of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, which represents a strong boost for the cultural tourism sector. He pointed to the cooperation between Egypt and Spain in archaeological research, excavations, and the significant interest shown by the Spanish royal family in Egyptian civilization.
Osman explained that Spanish tourists are among the most frequent visitors to Egypt, expecting a 9% increase in Spanish tourist flows following the royal visit compared to the same period last year. He noted that the Spanish market has already shown strong growth rates since the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, with expectations for a 25% to 30% increase during 2025 compared to the previous year.
The King’s visit program includes several prominent archaeological sites, topped by the Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor Museum, and the Valley of the Kings. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are also expected to visit Spanish archaeological missions as there are 12 Spanish missions currently operating in various archaeological sites across Egypt, with full collaboration and coordination with Egyptian archaeologists. The visit is a valuable opportunity for tourism promotion, he said.
