Promotion of tourism in Egypt during the reign of King Fuad I

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the role of King Fuad I (r. 1917–1936) role in promoting tourism in Egypt during his reign. Fuad felt that Egypt’s unique geography and history made it an ideal tourist destination even before he ascended to the throne. He promoted tourism in Egypt during his reign by establishing national tourism associations, hosting international conferences, and taking foreign dignitaries on trips to Egypt’s most famous archaeological sites. This paper also discusses and reflects upon Fuad’s organisation of an international competition to promote tourism in Egypt, which is understudied in the literature despite its importance for the history and development of Egyptian tourism. This paper contributes to the literature by examining previously unpublished archival sources and setting a timeline for the Egyptian state’s deep interest in promoting the country as a tourist attraction.