Egypt unveils plans to transform pyramids area into tourist hub

CAIRO – 1 December 2024: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly chaired a meeting today to review an international development plan for the area surrounding the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and extending from Sphinx International Airport in the north to Dahshur in the south.

 

The meeting, which included Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny and Assistant Minister of Housing Abdel Khalek Ibrahim, focused on enhancing the area’s tourist appeal and improving visitor services, in line with its significant archaeological and historical value.

 

Madbouly underscored the area’s exceptional historical importance, noting its UNESCO-listed sites, and highlighted the imminent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum as a key milestone in the development effort. "This area is home to invaluable historical treasures, and its development is crucial for preserving its legacy while improving the visitor experience for both Egyptians and international tourists," he said.

 

Government spokesperson Counselor Mohamed El-Homsany shared that the discussions included strategies for boosting tourist traffic and elevating the overall experience for visitors. Several development and tourism strategies were presented, reflecting the government’s commitment to transforming the area into a world-class destination.

 

This initiative is part of Egypt’s broader efforts to enhance its global tourism appeal and leverage its cultural heritage to fuel economic growth.

 

Egypt’s tourism sector has made significant strides, with the World Tourism Organization reporting that Egypt led African countries in tourism revenue, reaching $14 billion.

 

Egypt also ranked third among Arab countries in terms of tourist arrivals, welcoming approximately 14.9 million visitors. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt expects to receive about 15.3 million tourists by the end of 2024, marking a 5% increase over the previous year. However, the original target of 18 million tourists for 2024 may be affected by regional instability.

 

Despite these challenges, the government remains focused on strengthening the tourism sector, aiming to increase annual revenues from an estimated $12 billion to $30 billion over the next three years.

 

The sector continues to perform well, with hotel occupancy rates averaging over 75%, and in some areas, occupancy has surpassed 90%.

 

Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy praised the sector’s resilience, highlighting the record-breaking 14.91 million international tourists in 2023, the highest in Egypt's tourism history. On the sidelines of the World Travel Market in London, Fathy expressed optimism for the future of Egypt’s tourism industry, underscoring the country's growing status as a premier global destination.