Travel agencies and tour operators
How to choose a licensed travel agency in Egypt: licence categories A, B and C, how to check a company, red flags, questions to ask and where to complain.
Why the licence matters
Every company in Egypt that organises tours, sells travel tickets or runs tourist transport must hold a licence from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The rules come from Law No. 38 of 1977 on tourism companies and its executive regulations. A licensed company has a registered head office in Egypt, an Egyptian general manager and a financial guarantee lodged with the Ministry, which gives you somewhere to turn if things go wrong.
The three licence categories
Article 2 of the law divides tourism companies into three categories according to what they are allowed to do:
- Category A may carry out all licensed activities: organising group or individual tours inside and outside Egypt to set programmes, selling tickets, and operating tourist transport.
- Category B is limited to ticketing and agency work: selling travel tickets, booking transport and representing airlines or shipping lines.
- Category C is limited to operating land, river, sea or air transport for tourists.
If you are buying a full tour, a Nile cruise package or a multi-day itinerary, the company organising it should hold a Category A licence.
How to check a company
The Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA), the chamber for travel companies, keeps an index of licensed companies. Its website has a company index (in Arabic) where you can filter by governorate and area and see each company’s name and licence number. The Ministry’s website also has a tourism companies directory (Arabic, currently a trial version).
A genuine company normally prints its Ministry licence number and category on its website, invoices, vouchers and contracts. Note the number and compare it, together with the company’s exact registered name, against the ETAA index. A trading name that differs from the registered name is a reason to ask more questions.
Red flags
- Touts who approach you at airports, stations, hotel doors or monuments offering tours, “special” tickets or rides.
- Unlicensed “guides”: only licensed tour guides may guide at archaeological sites. Ask to see the guide’s syndicate card.
- Pressure selling: “last places”, “price only valid today” or unplanned stops at shops and papyrus or perfume factories.
- Cash only, no written receipt, or a request to pay a private person rather than the company.
- No licence number, no physical office address, or contact only through a mobile number or messaging app.
What to ask before booking
- What is your Ministry licence number and category, and your registered company name?
- What exactly is included: entrance tickets, guide, meals, transfers, tips?
- Will the guide be a licensed Egyptologist guide, and in which language?
- Are shopping stops included, and can I skip them?
- What is the cancellation and refund policy, in writing?
- Can I pay by card or bank transfer and get an official invoice?
Where to complain
Keep your contract, receipts and messages. For problems with a tourism company, contact the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities hotline 19654 or email the Ministry’s complaints address shown on mota.gov.eg. For harassment, fraud or anything needing immediate action, call the Tourist Police on 126; officers are posted at major sites, airports and resorts. If you booked through an agency in your home country, also notify it, as it is usually responsible for the services it sold you.
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Official bodies
Where licences are issued and complaints are handled.
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Licenses and supervises tourism companies, hotels and tour guides; hotline 19654 and complaints.
Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA)
Chamber representing licensed travel agencies and tour operators; publishes an index of member companies with licence numbers.
Egyptian Tourism Federation (ETF)
Umbrella body of Egypt's five tourism chambers (hotels, travel agents, tourist establishments, tourist commodities, diving and water sports).
Egyptian General Tourist Guides Syndicate
Professional body of licensed tour guides; guides at archaeological sites must be members and carry a syndicate card.
Tourism and Antiquities Police
Police unit at tourist sites, airports and resorts; emergency number 126.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: alberonsy.com, etaa-egypt.org, mota.gov.eg, untourism.int.