Invest-Gate held its first roundtable of 2025, and the 24th in its series of events, on Sunday, February 16, to highlight local and global best practices for enhancing the development of luxury housing and the hospitality sector. The event aimed to support Egypt’s tourism goals, attract international investors, and focus on sustainable development and innovative solutions for achieving long-term growth, thereby consolidating Egypt’s position as a leading global destination for luxury living and hospitality.
The roundtable took place at the Nile Ritz-Carlton Hotel under the title “Elevate Egypt: Branded Living and Hospitality.” It brought together senior developers, real estate experts, and industry leaders to explore the future of branded residences and luxury hospitality in Egypt. The discussions also emphasized the role of the hospitality sector in promoting tourism and achieving Egypt’s Vision 2030. Key topics included integrating well-being and mental health into the hospitality and branded residences sectors, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) on enhancing the luxury accommodation experience.
This roundtable was moderated by Mr. Moataz Sedky, Travco Holidays Egypt General Manager, and witnessed the participation of a group of senior officials, executives and experts in the Egyptian real estate sector, including: Mr. Mohamed Ayoub, Egyptian Hotels Organization Chairman; Eng. Fathallah Fawzy, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association and Chairman of the Real Estate Development and Contracting Committee; Eng. Ahmed El Nesr, ALDAU Development CEO – Real Estate Division; Eng. Tamer Nasser, City Edge Developments CEO; Mr. Omar El Tayebi, TLD-The Land Developers CEO; Ms. Dahlia El kordy, A Capital Holding CCO; Mr. Omar Abdel Ghaffar, Travco Properties Managing Director and Board Member; Mr. Moataz Amin, Prime Hospitality Management Group Founder & CEO; Eng. Ahmed Ehab, Madaar Development CEO; Mr. Abdelmeguid Amer, Amer Group Board Member; Eng. Mohamed Alaasar, Margins Developments Chairman; Dr. Mohamed Abd El Gawad, Vantage Developments Founder and Chairman; and Mr. Ahmed Youssef El Araby, Kelma Development Consulting CEO.

The roundtable included two main sessions. In the first session, experts discussed the role of the hospitality sector in Egypt’s Vision 2030, the impact of artificial intelligence on enhancing the luxury accommodation experience, the importance of partnerships with global hotel brands, and strategies for attracting international buyers and investors.

Ms. Safaa Abdel Bary, General Manager and Business Development Director of Invest-Gate, inaugurated the roundtable discussion titled “Elevate Egypt: Branded Living and Hospitality,” as the first session of its kind in 2025, welcoming real estate developers and pioneers in the hospitality development sector.
She emphasized that the session comes at a crucial time, aligning with the 2032 vision, which aims to attract 30 million tourists annually. This places a significant responsibility on the hospitality and real estate sectors to support this vision and achieve sustainable growth.
The real estate sector plays a pivotal role in developing tourism infrastructure by establishing integrated hospitality projects and introducing new concepts such as serviced living units and branded residences that enhance luxury living experiences and attract more foreign investments. Moreover, the hospitality industry is not just about hotel investments but serves as a fundamental pillar for economic growth by creating job opportunities, boosting state revenues, and enhancing the level of services provided to tourists and residents.
The roundtable discussions commenced with a recorded video from Dr. Eng. Abdelkhalek Ibrahim, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities. He highlighted the significance of integrating Greater Cairo’s establishments into the global tourism map. Dr. Ibrahim stressed the importance of utilizing advanced technologies to ensure resilience and sustainability in hospitality projects, while adopting best practices for operational efficiency. His message also covered the development of the North Coast to establish it as a global tourism hub, with a specific focus on emerging hospitality and serviced living projects in New Alamein and Ras El Hekma.

A major challenge discussed was the transformation of New Alamein from a seasonal summer destination into a vibrant year-round city. This challenge, along with the Ministry of Housing’s strategies to achieve it, was a central theme. Additionally, the conversation touched on initiatives to promote New Aswan as a global medical tourism destination, emphasizing its potential in wellness and therapeutic tourism.

In another recorded video, Ms. Yomna Elbahar, Vice Minister – Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, highlighted the role of real estate investment in supporting the tourism sector, particularly by increasing the supply of serviced apartments that align with ministry standards. She noted that many tourists, especially families, prefer these apartments for privacy and experiential tourism over traditional resorts. She also emphasized the ministry’s commitment to setting minimum standards and diversifying accommodation types to meet the goal of attracting 30 million tourists annually by 2030.
Mr. Mohamed Ayoub, Egyptian Hotels Organization Chairman, pointed out that while there are serviced apartments available, many are unlicensed and lack proper regulations. He noted that 50,000 to 70,000 units could be integrated into the licensed sector if specific requirements are met, but the challenge remains in converting properties from residential to commercial use, which is a costly process.
Eng. Fathallah Fawzy, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association and Chairman of the Real Estate Development and Contracting Committee, emphasized the benefits of serviced apartments, particularly in attracting foreign investment due to quality assurance and strong resale value. He added that this type of investment significantly impacts the economy, job creation, and tourism revenue. Fawzy also suggested that the Ministry of Tourism facilitate licensing procedures and simplify foreign property registration.
Mr. Mohamed Ayoub clarified that some serviced apartments do have proper licensing and meet current standards. Meanwhile, Mr. Moataz Sedky, Travco Holidays Egypt General Manager, underscored the hospitality sector’s critical role in Egypt’s national vision.
Eng. Ahmed El Nesr, ALDAU Development CEO- Real Estate Division, noted that real estate developers are now prioritizing enhanced living experiences over mere property sales, with branded residences ensuring higher quality and increased customer demand, leading to a 10-20% price premium.
Ms. Dahlia El Kordy, A Capital Holding CCO, highlighted the indirect marketing impact of “trophy property”. She also stressed the need for infrastructure development, airport expansions, and service provider training to enhance Egypt’s tourism experience.
Mr. Omar Abdel Ghaffar, Travco Properties Managing Director and Board Member, discussed maximizing the potential of the North Coast, emphasizing the importance of strong infrastructure, including desalination plants, to encourage year-round living. He also called for the development and promotion of Alamein International Airport to attract more international flights.
Meanwhile, Mr. Omar El Tayebi, TLD-The Land Developers CEO, underlined the importance of developing Giza and Sheikh Zayed to cater to both tourists and investors, stressing the need for infrastructure improvements and essential services.
Moataz Amin, Founder and CEO of Prime Hospitality Management Group, explained the difference between Brand Residence and Serviced Apartment. A Brand Residence involves the ownership of residential units that adhere to international brand standards, ensuring quality for the buyer, while a Serviced Apartment is a building intended for rent with the goal of achieving an annual return.
He also highlighted how real estate developers can use the Branded Residence concept as a logical justification for increasing the prices of hotel apartments, positioning them as luxury properties that adhere to specific standards.
Eng. Ahmed Ehab, CEO of Madaar Development, stated that hotel units are characterized by strong demand from both Egyptians and foreigners. However, some projects do not meet the targeted occupancy rates for the implemented units. He pointed out that while some companies have the capability to provide services for these projects, others lack sufficient experience.
He stated that hotel units enjoy strong demand from both Egyptians and foreigners. However, some projects fail to achieve the targeted occupancy rates for the units delivered. He also noted that while some companies have the expertise to provide services for these projects, others lack the necessary experience.
Dr. Mohamed Abd El Gawad, Vantage Developments Founder and Chairman, pointed out that competition among developers has elevated product quality, leading to higher-end serviced apartments with significant investment returns. However, he noted that most residential units are delivered unfinished, which complicates property export efforts.
Mr. Ahmed Youssef El Araby, Kelma Development Consulting CEO, praised Invest-Gate for its timely conference and discussion topics. He revealed that 120 hotel projects are currently under construction in Egypt, with a new project launched every 20-25 days. He emphasized the need to integrate hospitality and real estate sectors rather than keeping them separate, urging the Ministry of Housing to intervene to streamline this integration. He also suggested that the government offer land through joint ventures or usufruct contracts to support hospitality projects and called for the establishment of a specialized advisory body to guide developers in entering the hospitality real estate market.
Mr. Abdelmeguid Amer, Amer Group Board Member, stressed the importance of legislative frameworks in boosting tourism development. He noted that regulatory support has been a key driver of Egypt’s real estate boom, enabling both local and international partnerships. He cited Singapore’s investment platform as a model where all real estate and hospitality investment opportunities are centralized for investor access.
Eng. Mohamed Alaasar, Margins Developments Chairman, highlighted the growing significance of serviced apartments, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030. He expressed pride in Egypt’s unique real estate offerings, emphasizing that each location has distinct advantages. He called for workshops and seminars to educate developers on best practices in the serviced apartment sector and strengthening connections with global hospitality brands.
Eng. Ahmed El Nesr emphasized that obtaining licenses for hotel apartments involves specific requirements regarding area and services, which can be complex and challenging to navigate. He noted that regulations vary by governorate, leading to inconsistencies between projects. Additionally, he explained that three key entities define the main requirements: the governorate, the Ministry of Tourism, and the standards set by the contracted trademark.
Mr. Mohamed Ayoub stated that the tourism project is subject to oversight by 27 entities. In response, the Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Eng. Sherif El Sherbini, proposed the idea of establishing a land bank that meets all the specifications and requirements for the project.
Eng. Fathallah Fawzy added that many units in some compounds remain unoccupied because they are only semi-finished, which poses significant risks. He stressed the importance of ensuring that buildings are fully completed before receiving approvals and called for a reconsideration of this issue.

Mr. Abdelmeguid Amer stressed the importance of organizing events that attract investors from neighboring countries, noting that Amer Group is interested in sports tourism and is preparing to launch a horse championship scheduled for early next summer.
Eng. Tamer Nasser also agreed on the necessity of organizing events continuously, especially in New Alamein City, which should occur throughout the year. He emphasized that this will not be possible unless the real estate system as a whole is fully developed, pointing out the importance of providing facilities for industrial lands to support the hotel sector.
Eng. Ahmed Ehab highlighted the differences between Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Egypt’s Vision 2030, noting that Saudi officials work in unison toward a specific goal with a clear implementation plan, evaluated every three months. He stressed that collaboration between the private sector and the government can create a significant impact on the ground.
He also called for the establishment of a unified, organized platform, such as a dedicated website, to issue all licenses, outline requirements, and provide comprehensive project details, streamlining processes instead of relying on multiple separate entities.
Mr. Ahmed Youssef El Araby noted that their research at Kelma Development Consulting indicates that hotel apartments will be in high demand in 2025, as investors have begun to recognize their importance in the real estate market and the substantial returns they offer.
Dr. Mohamed Abd El Gawad highlighted that high interest rates pose a significant challenge in Egypt’s real estate market, impacting project timelines and financial planning. He proposed extending state-offered installment periods from the current four years to seven years or more, alleviating financial pressures on developers and facilitating smoother project execution. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of mandating the sale of fully finished units to ensure the availability of investment-ready properties.

This roundtable was sponsored by:
Official Sponsor: ALDAU Development
Platinum Sponsors: City Edge Developments, TLD-The Land Developers, Marriott Residences by A Capital Holding.

Gold Sponsors: Prime Hospitality, Madaar Development
Delegates’ Bags Sponsor: Amer Group
Registration Desk Sponsor: Margins Developments
Silver Sponsor: Vantage Developments
Media Partners: Al-Gedaan Real Estate, Daily News Egypt, Aleqaria, Al-Borsa newspaper, Elly Bana Misr, Property Plus, Aqargate, BloomGate, Osoul Misr Magazine, Aqarmap