All you need to know about reducing foreigner’s tickets to archaeologist sites

CAIRO – 21 June 2020: Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is exerting great efforts to encourage foreign tourism during the upcoming tourism season, within the framework of encouraging cultural tourism programs in Upper Egypt during the summer.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities' Board of Directors held its last session, headed by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled el-Anani, to take several decisions in this regard.

In the following lines, ET answers some of the frequently asked questions regarding this matter.

What is the goal of the decisions taken by the Supreme Council of Antiquities’ management?

The goal is encouraging foreign tourism to Egypt, working to promote and support cultural tourism during the next tourism season, and encouraging cultural tourism programs in Upper Egypt during the summer.

Why were the decisions allocated for the summer?

This is because the number of visitors decreases due to the high temperature.

What are the most significant decisions that were taken?

Exceptionally extending the "Summer in Upper Egypt" initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities until October 31, 2020 to support and encourage cultural tourism programs in Upper Egypt during the summer.

Has the entry fee of archaeological sites been reduced?

Some 50 percent of the price of foreigner’s tickets has been reduced, as all foreign tourists will pay a flat rate that is the price of international students' tickets, which is 50 percent of the full ticket price.

Are those prices limited to archaeological sites only?

No, as the decision to reduce ticket price during the summer includes areas and museums that are open for visiting.

In which regions does this decision apply?

It is applied in Qena, Luxor and Aswan.

Has the Antiquities Board made other decisions?

The Board of Directors has adopted a number of requirements and controls to reopen the archaeological sites and museums for visiting in coastal tourist governorates as a first stage, before gradually resuming the opening of the archaeological sites.

When will the prices for visiting tickets be adjusted?

During the session, the Board of Directors agreed to postpone the increase in ticket prices, originally scheduled to increase in November 2020, for May 1, 2021, in order to encourage cultural tourism.