Most people who think of Egypt think of antiquities, but Egypt offers much more. Certainly it is a prime location to see Egypt's great heritage from the ancient world, including the Pyramids and wonderful temples, but it is also part of the Holy Land, and tours to Christian, Muslim and Coptic religious monuments are popular. Yet Egypt also offers nature and desert treks, great scuba diving and even golf, fishing and birding expeditions, and extensively wellness tourism. One may choose to relax on the wontrous Egypt Red Sea or Sinai coasts, take in the high culture of Cairo, or even leasurely float down the Egyptian Nile on a luxurious river boat.
In 2009 the number of UK tourists visiting Egypt increased by 12.1% compared to 2008. Egypt received 1,346,724 tourists from the UK. They stayed in Egypt for a total of 13,793,273 nights. This is an increase of 10.8% compared to 2008.
The UK has a triving tourism industry founded on its rich historical and cultural heritage. The breathtaking landscapes of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland make for excellent nature holidays. Visits to seaside resort Brighton, university towns Cambridge and Oxford, or Shakespeare's Stratford-Upon-Avon, are popular. The capital London offers a vast array of outings to museums and galleries such as the world renowned British Museum, the National Gallery, and Tate Modern. London is known for its celebrated theatre performances and home to famed landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster, The London Eye, The Tower of London, St. Paul's and Piccadilly Circus. From Piccadilly Circus it is a short walk to Leicester Square, Covent Garden and the shopping district on Regent and Oxford Street.
