A tourist visits the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo,maharashtra matka chart Egypt on July 2, 2024. Egypt announced on Monday that its tourism revenue hit 6.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2024, surpassing the 6.3 billion dollars during the same period in 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Egypt announced on Monday that its tourism revenue hit 6.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2024, surpassing the 6.3 billion dollars during the same period in 2023.

In a statement, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the number of tourist arrivals during the first half of 2024 reached a record high of 7.069 million.

The number of tourist nights reached 70.2 million between January and June, exceeding the record of 67.6 million during the same period of last year.

As part of a national strategy to enhance tourism, Egypt is ramping up the availability of inbound airline seats and hotel rooms nationwide, aiming to cater to 30 million tourists by 2028.

Egypt received a record number of 14.9 million tourists in 2023. The tourism sector is one of the main sources of foreign currency for Egypt, contributing about 12 percent to the GDP and providing jobs for around three million people.

Tourists visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Egypt on July 2, 2024. Egypt announced on Monday that its tourism revenue hit 6.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2024, surpassing the 6.3 billion dollars during the same period in 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

A tourist visits the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Egypt on July 2, 2024. Egypt announced on Monday that its tourism revenue hit 6.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2024, surpassing the 6.3 billion dollars during the same period in 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Tourists visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Egypt on July 2, 2024. Egypt announced on Monday that its tourism revenue hit 6.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2024, surpassing the 6.3 billion dollars during the same period in 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)