Egypt Ignites Digital Tourism Revolution with University-Backed Innovation Program

Malaz Madani

Last updated 3-09-2025

3 min

Sultan Hassan Palace in Cairo was abuzz with digital tourism innovation minds for Egypt Pass's new programme.

In partnership with Creativa and 6th of October University, the event saw official support.

Around 100 students joined the training to foster sustainable tourism through AI and local innovation.

The initiative aims to create entrepreneurs who push for digital transformation in Egyptian tourism.

With strong university partnerships, the programme bridges academia, government, and the private sector.

It’s not every day you see a centuries-old place like Sultan Hassan Palace in Cairo buzzing with the next wave of digitial tourism minds, but that’s exactly what happened when Egypt Pass launched its rather ambitious new programme, “Entrepreneurship and Digital Tourism”. They pulled this off in a partnership with Creativa—known for its connections with Egypt’s Digital Innovation Hubs—and 6th of October University. Frankly, this sort of collaboration is spot on for moving things forward in the region, especially when you consider the hurdles most young people face breaking into tech-driven tourism.

What made the event stand out was the official backing. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, through its EGYPT Digital Innovation Hubs, along with the Academy of Scientific Research and 6th of October University, all lent their support. In a nutshell, they’re hoping to arm uni students with the tools (and a bit of the spark) needed for sustainable tourism—from using AI to making real innovations for local startups. About 100 students from 6th of October University joined the training, which is no small feat; I remember back in my early Arageek days, trying to get even a handful of bright minds in one room was a bit of a faff.

The goal here is clear: build a new generation of Egyptian entrepreneurs who don’t just follow the crowd but actively push digital tourism towards sustainability. According to Mohamed Zakaria Rabie, the CEO of Egypt Pass, this commitment is all about “supporting the digital transformation of Egyptian tourism by investing in youth, fostering local innovation, and building a smart AI-powered platform to deliver an integrated, sustainable tourism experience—strengthening Egypt’s position in this promising sector.” Ambitious words, you might say, but considering Egypt still has untapped potential for combining history with technology, I reckon he’s right to aim high.

On the flip side, though, pulling together official support, university partnerships, and hands-on tech training can be a right juggling act. But if the energy at Sultan Hassan Palace was anything to go by, Egypt’s youth aren’t just sitting on their hands waiting for things to happen—they’re itching to roll up their sleeves and get cracking.

Of course, sustainable digital tourism is more than a fashionable phrase; it needs genuine, ongoing collabration between the private sector, academia, and government. What’s refreshing about this initiative is how it bridges worlds that often seem miles apart. And believe it or not, nobody will be surprised if some of these fresh graduates wind up shaking up the way we travel and experience Egypt—maybe sooner than anyone expects.

If there’s one thing I learned at Arageek, it’s that when MENA’s startups and students spot an opportunity—especially in digital fields—they’re chuffed to bits to jump on board. With Egypt Pass now clearing a path, the future of tourism here just might be getting a much-needed reboot.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!