About the Founder

My journey in travel and heritage began in 2008, right after earning my BA in Egyptology. I entered what many call the “tourism industry,” and within just six months, I saw why the word industry fits so uncomfortably. Modern tourism had become less about genuine cultural exchange and more about quick commercial transactions. Travellers were treated as “clients” or “pax,” and guides as disposable “contractors”. The result was a dehumanising, mechanical system driven solely by profit, something I could never fully belong to.

In 2010, I founded my first company, Cairo Private Tours, with a clear purpose: to re‑humanise tourism. I eliminated the practices that stripped travel of meaning: no shopping stops, no hidden commissions, and fair, transparent compensation for every collaborator. The idea was simple yet powerful: to create journeys built on respect, authenticity, and cultural depth.

That philosophy lives on at Nordnile, where we believe travel should do more than take you to new places. It should connect you with the people, stories, and living heritage that make those places truly unforgettable. Every Nordnile journey is designed to foster mutual understanding, sustainability, and emotional resonance long after the trip ends.

After completing my Master’s in International Cultural Heritage Management at Durham University in the UK and conducting doctoral research at the University of Gothenburg on the relationship between heritage, art, and wellbeing, I returned to the world of travel with renewed purpose. Through Nordnile, I now focus on a deeper mission: combining sustainable tourism, community engagement, and scientific insight to create meaningful, responsible travel experiences that benefit both visitors and local communities.

Khaled ElSamman

Founder & CEO, Nordnile