Fresh Egyptian antiquities to boost lagging tourism sector
New archaeological finds, restored monuments set to lure back foreign tourists
Egypt will unveil in the coming months a string of archaeological discoveries set to boost the country’s ailing tourism sector, officials said.
Egyptian Antiquities Minister Khalid Al Enany has promised a season “full” of archaeological finds and reopening of restored monuments.
Last week, Al Enany inaugurated an ancient tomb noted for its vivid colours in the Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo. The tomb of Mehu, a top official in Pharaonic Egypt’s Old Kingdom, was unearthed in 1940 but was opened to the public only on Saturday after extensive restoration works.
“With the inauguration of the Mehu tomb, we declare the start of the archaeological season that will witness a large number of inaugurations,” Al Enani said at a press conference. “This year will see three major discoveries in three different governorates,” he added, without giving details.
The minister said the restoration of the step Zoser Pyramid in Giza will be completed by early 2019. The pyramid is the world’s oldest surviving stone monument, dating from the 27th century BC. Al Enany made the announcements while touring several sites being renovated in Saqqara. Foreign diplomats joined the tour. ■
Discovering stability
In recent months, Egypt uncovered several ancient structures in Cairo, Luxor and the Nile Delta, including mammoth statues and graves. A major museum is also coming up near the Giza pyramids.
Egypt plans to showcase some of its most famous ancient artefacts, including those of the boy king Tutankhamun in the new museum, in an effort to lure more foreign visitors.
The initial opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum — set for early 2019 — is set to further enhance Egypt’s allure.
Once a major revenue earner for Egypt, the tourism industry bore the brunt of the upheavals following the ouster of president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
In October 2015, tourism suffered a new hard blow when a Russian passenger plane crashed in Sinai shortly after departure from the popular resort of Sharm Al Shaikh.
All 224 people on board were killed. Russia said the jet had been brought down by a terrorist bomb and halted all flights to Egypt. Daesh claimed responsibility for the alleged bombing.
In recent months, tourism has shown signs of recovery. Earlier this year, Russia restarted its flights to Cairo.
Last year, some 8.6 million foreign tourists visited Egypt, an increase of more than 55 per cent against 2016.
Some parliamentarians are confident that the Egyptian tourism is recovering well. “Egypt is able to set records in numbers of foreign visitors in light of the stability in the country,” said Ahmad Samih, member of parliament’s tourism committee.
A record 15 million people visited Egypt in 2010, the year before the anti-Mubarak uprising and Arab Spring in 2011.