The historic city of Aswan has been crowned the “Tourist City of the Year” by the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) – the second year in a row.
The announcement follows a competitive voting process among member states, solidifying Aswan’s status as a premier destination within the bloc’s emerging markets.
Aswan secured the 2026 title after receiving the highest number of votes from member nations, outperforming finalist cities from Azerbaijan, Iran, and Pakistan.
This consecutive win marks a significant milestone for Egypt’s tourism sector, signaling a sustained international confidence in Aswan’s unique cultural and logistical appeal.
The wining resulted from a robust nomination campaign spearheaded by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in close coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The submission featured a comprehensive promotional portfolio that highlighted Aswan’s diverse tourism assets—ranging from its unrivaled archaeological heritage and Nile landscapes to its growing capacity for sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.
The Developing Eight (D-8) is a global intergovernmental organization established in 1997, comprising Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
The organization focuses on enhancing economic cooperation and development among its members, representing a market of over 1.1 billion people.
Aswan’s selection is particularly strategic as the city serves as a vital gateway between Egypt and Africa.
Its back-to-back recognition is expected to drive increased investment in local infrastructure and encourage intra-D8 tourism, which has become a key pillar of Egypt’s broader strategy to diversify its visitor demographics beyond traditional Western markets.
