Licenses and Professional Standing.
Discovery Tours Egypt holds a Class A tourism license issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the highest classification for destination management companies in Egypt. ETAA Member #718, IATA Accredited #90255546. 38 years continuous operation under Egyptian tourism law.
Official Licenses & Registrations.
Operating legally in Egypt requires multiple licenses and registrations. We maintain all required credentials with annual renewals and regulatory compliance.
Category A Tourism License
Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities Category A license (#718). Highest classification for tourism companies—authorizes full-service DMC operations including inbound tour organization, transportation, accommodation booking, and guide services.
Requires: EGP 3M capital deposit, professional premises (30+ sqm), general manager with 10+ years experience, annual license renewal, compliance audits.
ETAA Membership
Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA) member in good standing. ETAA is the official industry association representing licensed tourism companies, maintaining public registry of legitimate operators, and enforcing professional standards.
All legal tour companies in Egypt must be registered with ETAA. Public license verification available at www.etaa-egypt.org
IATA Accreditation
International Air Transport Association (IATA) accreditation (#90255546). Enables direct airline ticketing, access to BSP settlement system, and enhanced credibility with international partners.
IATA accreditation requires financial guarantees, office inspections, staff training certification, and annual audits. Voluntary certification demonstrating international standards adherence.
Company Registration
Egyptian limited liability company registered with General Authority for Investment (GAFI). Commercial registration certificate, tax registration, social insurance registration for employees. Articles of association restrict activities to tourism services only.
Legal structure: Egyptian LLC, minimum EGP 2M registered capital, Egyptian national general manager required by law.
Regulatory Compliance & Legal Framework.
Egyptian tourism operations governed by Law No. 38 of 1977 (amended), Law No. 8 of 2022 (Hotels & Tourism Establishments), and implementing regulations.
Annual Compliance Requirements
- Ministry of Tourism license renewal (annual)
- ETAA membership renewal and dues payment
- IATA accreditation renewal (financial audit, office inspection)
- Commercial registration renewal with Ministry of Investment
- Tax filings (corporate income tax, VAT, payroll tax)
- Social insurance contributions for all employees
Ongoing Regulatory Obligations
- Employee guide licenses verified (Ministry of Tourism issued)
- Vehicle commercial licenses maintained (annual inspection)
- Insurance certificates current (liability, vehicle, professional indemnity)
- Financial guarantee maintained with Ministry (EGP 200K for Category A)
- Office premises lease agreement (minimum 5-year term, authenticated)
- Audited financial statements submitted annually
Regulatory Authorities
Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities
Issues tourism company licenses (Category A/B/C). Enforces tourism law. Inspects operations. Handles complaints. Regulates guide licensing.
ETAA (Egyptian Travel Agents Association)
Industry self-regulation. Maintains public registry of licensed companies. Mediates partner disputes. Enforces professional standards. Represents industry to government.
GAFI (General Authority for Investment)
Company registration authority. Oversees commercial registry. Monitors capital requirements. Enforces Articles of Association compliance.
License Verification & Documentation.
Prospective partners can verify our credentials through official government channels and request copies of license documentation.
How to Verify Our Licenses
Ministry of Tourism License #718:
Contact Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities to confirm Category A license status. License number 718 in public registry.
ETAA Membership:
Visit www.etaa-egypt.org and search member directory. Our company appears in licensed operator registry with active status.
IATA Accreditation #90255546:
Verify through IATA's Travel Agent Locator (https://www.iata.org/). Search by company name or IATA number.
Company Registration:
Commercial registration certificate available for review. Registered with Egyptian General Authority for Investment (GAFI).
Available Documentation
The following documents can be provided to prospective partners upon request:
- •Ministry of Tourism Category A license certificate (current year)
- •ETAA membership certificate and member ID card
- •IATA accreditation certificate with number 90255546
- •Commercial registration certificate from GAFI
- •Tax registration certificate (corporate income tax, VAT)
- •Liability insurance certificates (current policy period)
- •Articles of Association (company formation documents)
- •Audited financial statements (most recent fiscal year)
Note: Some documents contain confidential business information and may be provided under NDA for serious partnership inquiries only.
Questions About Our Credentials?
License certificates, registration documents, and verification instructions available upon request. We encourage due diligence from prospective partners.
Licensing inquiries: partners@dmcegypt.com or +20 100 777 7526
Are your licenses valid nationwide?
Yes. Our Class A tourism license, issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, authorizes destination management operations across Egypt, with core coverage across Cairo, Luxor, and the Red Sea (including Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh).