Luxor
Egypt’s tourist strategy for 2026 and beyond is focused on reaching 30 million visitors by 2030. With major upgrade and infrastructure projects underway, Luxor – described by some as ‘an open‑air museum’ – is an essential stop for travellers focused on culture and history.
With iconic ancient sites (Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, to name a few), heritage tours and good cruise and package options — it’s the ideal cultural anchor in a Best‑of‑Egypt itinerary.
Allow one to two full days for FITs and two to three days for groups. This provides time for Luxor’s West Bank (tombs) and East Bank (temples and city) highlights, experiential heritage tours and add‑ons such as a hot‑air‑balloon sunrise.
Operators can package specialist archaeologist‑led tours, private guided trips and premium temple‑and‑museum experiences. There are also memorable 3–4‑night Nile cruises linking Luxor to Aswan, which destination planners identify as a high‑value add‑on.
Compared with Cairo, Luxor offers a more intimate experience at its vast archaeological sites. Cairo’s Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and Grand Egyptian Museum collections remain must‑sees. With excellent international connectivity, agents can position Cairo as the gateway and start of any trip, then add Luxor as the immersive follow‑on. Tip: include contingency plans for peak‑season crowds at top attractions.
While Egypt works towards its 30‑million‑visitor target, stakeholders are prioritising partnerships with emerging markets, especially in the East, with customised travel programmes and marketing partnerships. There is also a focus on expanding airport capacity, expanding regional connectivity (air and cruise) and improving site accessibility.
Athens
Athens is celebrated for its layered history and vibrant urban culture. Top sites include the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, the Parthenon and the Ancient Agora.
Guided and sailing tours highlight car‑free streets, ancient temples and coastal ruins overlooking the Aegean. For shopping, trip planners recommend the Monastiraki flea market, Glyfada for luxury shopping and seaside dining, and the shops along Ermou Street.
Allow two to three days for FITs to cover key sites, and three to four days for groups to include city walking tours, culinary experiences and an evening visit to the Acropolis.
As Greece’s primary international gateway, Athens offers excellent connectivity to popular Greek islands and is a natural start or end point for multi‑destination itineraries from India.
For leisure visitors, position Athens for one to two city days before island‑hopping. Popular routes include the Cyclades – Santorini for its views, Mykonos for nightlife, Paros for beaches and family‑friendly Naxos; Hydra offers car‑free charm. Alternatively, add regional extensions with short domestic flights operated by SKY express – ideal for high‑yield customers.
For airports, DMCs, operators and resellers, Greece is growing tourism by focusing on sustainability and addressing seasonality to boost year‑round revenue. A ‘Greek Tourism 2030’ initiative aims to extend the season and spread visitors to less‑visited regions, while promoting green practices such as the PlasTICK digital platform to reduce plastic waste in hotels.
Livingstone
Livingstone is synonymous with Victoria Falls (Mosi‑oa‑Tunya) – one of the world’s most dramatic natural attractions – with activities ranging from guided falls tours, helicopter flights and sunset cruises on the Zambezi to adrenaline options like white‑water rafting and bungee jumping.
Recommend 2–3 days for FITs to visit Victoria Falls and try a few activities, and 3–5 days for groups to include game drives, cultural village visits and river‑based outings. For operators, high‑yield add‑ons include private guided tours, helicopter or microlight flights over the falls, and private luxury lodge transfers.
Compared with nearby hubs (Lusaka or Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls town), Livingstone offers the most direct access to falls‑focused experiences and is a gateway for short safaris in South Luangwa or Mosi‑oa‑Tunya National Park extensions. Agents can position Livingstone as a dedicated nature‑and‑adventure stop on a southern Africa itinerary, easily combined with safari circuits, the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls or short regional hops.
Plan seamless transfers and allow extra time for cross‑border logistics when including Zimbabwe. Time activities around water levels and seasonal access.
In a competitive safari market, targeted marketing should emphasise Livingstone’s experiential differentiators – abundant wildlife, standout adventure activities and cultural tours, high‑quality lodges and hotels, and notoriously friendly local people.
There has been a push to encourage longer stays and travel during off‑peak and shoulder periods. Fastjet’s regional flights (currently double‑daily between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls) have boosted international traffic to the region – please check schedules with the airline at the time of booking.
