Egypt Invests $526 Million in Saint Catherine Project to Boost Tourism

The Egyptian government has injected significant investments into developing Saint Catherine city in South Sinai, allocating more than 25 billion Egyptian pounds, equivalent to about $526 million, to implement the Saint Catherine project known as “The Great Transfiguration,” as part of a broader strategy to enhance spiritual and eco-tourism.

The Saint Catherine project, launched in 2021, aims to revive the city’s religious and spiritual significance.

Spanning approximately 1,500 feddans, it includes 14 different components designed to position the area as a global destination for mountain, spiritual, and wellness tourism.

A government official stated that investments allocated to hotel facilities amount to 12 billion pounds, fully financed by the New Urban Communities Authority, noting that the rugged mountainous terrain has contributed to higher construction costs within the Saint Catherine project.

The development also features service facilities, administrative and sports buildings, visitor reception halls, commercial areas, sustainable housing, as well as power stations and upgraded main road infrastructure.

Hotel facilities are set to be handed over to Steigenberger and Marriott, with official operations expected to begin in the first quarter of the year.

The project is anticipated to be fully completed in the first half of the year, supporting tourism growth and generating new sources of foreign currency.