Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed on Sunday the signing ceremony of a contract to manage and operate the historic Continental Hotel in downtown Cairo under the global Indian brand “TAJ.”
The agreement, signed at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, marks TAJ’s first entry into the Egyptian market and is part of the government’s strategy to preserve architectural heritage while redeveloping it in a modern and sustainable way to support tourism and job creation.
The deal was signed by the managing director of the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH), Hisham al-Demery, and the chief executive of Indian Hotels Company Limited, Puneet Chhatwal, a Tata Group subsidiary that owns the Taj brand.
The signing ceremony was attended by Public Business Sector Minister, Mohamed Shimi and Indian Ambassador to Egypt, Suresh K. Reddy.
Madbouly said the project supports efforts to revitalize heritage areas in Khedival Cairo and strengthen Cairo’s position on the global tourism map.
Shimi said the agreement fits into the Public Business Ministry’s broader plan to redevelop state-owned tourism and hotel assets through partnerships with leading international operators to maximize economic returns.
Historical landmark
The Continental Hotel, originally built in 1870 and overlooking Azbakeya Garden and Opera Square, is one of Cairo’s most prominent historic landmarks.
The redevelopment project began in the second quarter of this year and will restore the building’s original architectural character while upgrading it to international hotel standards.
Once completed, the hotel will reopen as a five-star property with around 300 rooms.
The hotel is owned by EGOTH, a subsidiary of Egypt’s state-owned tourism and hotels holding company.
Taj, one of the world’s major luxury hotel brands, operates more than 335 hotels across over 150 locations globally.
