Starting October, Full-Day Pay for Guides Jumps to EGP 1,800 Amid Push for Better Service and Fairer Labor
Egypt’s government is handing a long-awaited raise to its tour guides — a workforce that has long operated at the intersection of tourism and undercompensation. In a move officials say will both elevate industry standards and protect workers’ livelihoods, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has formally approved new minimum wages, effective October 1, 2025.
Under the new decree, tour guides will earn EGP 1,800 for a full 8-hour day and EGP 1,100 for half-day assignments. That’s more than a 60% bump compared to what many guides say they were actually being paid — despite years of informal negotiations, economic turbulence, and pandemic-era setbacks.
A Raise That’s About More Than Just Money
“This isn’t just about money. It’s about dignity,” said Amina El-Rawi, a 42-year-old guide in Luxor who’s been leading Nile tours since 2007. She said the raise felt like the first meaningful gesture from the government in years.
Tourism is one of Egypt’s largest revenue streams, employing more than two million people. But for all its economic importance, many on-the-ground workers — especially freelance tour guides — say they’ve often been overlooked.
Sherif Fathy, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, acknowledged as much in Tuesday’s announcement.
“We are committed to ensuring fair working conditions and promoting service excellence for tourists, which ultimately strengthens Egypt’s global tourism image,” Fathy said during a press event in Cairo.
His statement was echoed by Samia Sami, the Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies Affairs, who called the decree “an essential step in supporting those who protect and interpret our cultural heritage.”
The Numbers Behind the Policy
The new wage floor applies to licensed tour guides operating through official tourism companies registered with the ministry. It sets two clear standards:
-
Full-day (8 hours): EGP 1,800
-
Half-day (4 continuous hours): EGP 1,100
But it’s not just a flat increase — it also signals a structural shift in how tour guide labor is valued. Until now, guides say they were often locked into outdated contracts, earning as little as EGP 700–900 per day, depending on the agency and season.
“This makes things clearer,” said Hassan Mahrous, a guide who regularly works in Giza. “Now we have a number on paper. No more under-the-table guessing.”
Here’s how the change compares with previous standard rates:
| Type of Work | Previous Average Pay (Unofficial) | New Official Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Day | EGP 900–1,100 | EGP 1,800 | ~63–100% |
| Half Day | EGP 600–750 | EGP 1,100 | ~47–83% |
Reaction on the Ground: Mixed Feelings, Cautious Optimism
The news has sparked relief — and questions.
“I’m thrilled, obviously,” said Layla Hassan, who guides English and Spanish tours through Aswan’s temples. “But I’m also skeptical. Will the companies actually follow through?”
Some tour operators have voiced concerns over rising costs, especially smaller businesses. But larger firms say the shift is both manageable and necessary.
Mohamed Khaled, co-founder of a luxury Cairo-based operator, said, “Honestly, the guides deserve it. We’ve relied on them to carry this industry through hard times. This decree helps stabilize the quality.”
A few others pointed out a familiar issue: enforcement. If the new rates are not uniformly applied, freelancers could again fall through the cracks.
Timing: Right Before Egypt’s High Season
The timing of the raise — October 1 — isn’t accidental. Egypt’s high tourism season typically kicks off in late October and runs through March, when temperatures are milder and cultural sites see peak visitor traffic.
“This was smart,” said Dr. Walid Gad, a tourism policy expert at Ain Shams University. “You introduce the wage hike right before the rush. That way, companies don’t have much wiggle room to push back. They need guides — badly.”
And this season could be big. Early indicators from travel agencies show bookings are already up 18% compared to the same period last year, particularly for heritage-rich destinations like Luxor, Abu Simbel, and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum.
Why This Matters for Egypt’s Global Image
Egypt’s tourism brand has struggled in recent years — first with political instability, then COVID, and most recently with reports of poor service and chaotic tour logistics.
Improving tour guide wages is part of a broader strategy to turn that around. Minister Fathy has made service quality a cornerstone of his agenda, repeatedly stating that well-paid, well-trained guides can make or break a visitor’s perception.
And that’s not just rhetoric. A 2023 survey by TripGlobal found that 63% of negative reviews for Egypt tours cited “unprofessional guides” as a top complaint.
“This raise could change that narrative,” said Dalia Serry, a Cairo-based tourism analyst. “When guides feel respected and fairly compensated, they bring their best selves to the job. Tourists notice that.”
One Sentence — And a Whole Lot of Hope
For many guides, the decree boils down to a simple sentence: “You matter now.”
It won’t fix everything. Enforcement mechanisms are still murky, and some say regional disparities will persist. But it’s a start — one that may finally align Egypt’s ancient wonders with a service experience that meets 21st-century expectations.
