Egyptian officials are expressing optimism regarding the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which is anticipated to revitalize the country’s tourism sector that has faced significant challenges over the past decade due to internal unrest, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regional conflicts. Set to open on Saturday, the GEM is projected to draw up to 7 million more visitors each year, potentially increasing the total annual tourist count to around 30 million by 2030.
Spanning an impressive 500,000 square meters and overlooking the iconic Giza Pyramids, the museum will showcase tens of thousands of artifacts, including the complete collection of treasures belonging to the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun, many of which will be on public display for the first time. Unlike the older and more congested exhibits of the former Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo, the GEM will offer innovative immersive displays and virtual-reality installations designed to enhance the visitor experience.
Tourism serves as a vital source of foreign currency for Egypt, critical for financing essential imports like fuel and wheat. In 2022, the country welcomed 15.7 million tourists, resulting in a record $15 billion in revenue, a significant recovery from the earlier slump when tourism revenues fell to $3.8 billion in 2015/16 due to widespread political instability.
Despite these gains, the tourism sector still grapples with enduring difficulties, including outdated infrastructure, insufficient planning, and security issues. Egypt’s performance in tourism lags behind that of its regional competitor Turkey, which attracted over 50 million visitors last year, earning $60 billion in revenue.
Ghada Abdelmoaty, an associate professor at the Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotels in Alexandria, considers the visitor targets realistic. She noted, “The museum accommodates a huge collection that was previously kept in storage due to lack of display space.”
The Egyptian government is focusing on attracting a greater proportion of cultural tourists, who typically spend more and stay longer than those visiting for beach vacations. Currently, cultural tourists make up about 10-15% of international arrivals, although a 2021 study suggested that they accounted for less than a quarter of total visitors.
To enhance the tourism infrastructure surrounding the GEM, improvements include better road access, a new airport located just 25 kilometers away, and a new entrance to the Giza Pyramids to alleviate congestion. Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy recently announced plans to add 5,000 hotel rooms to accommodate the rising demand, with an additional 9,000 expected by the end of the year.
With considerable investments being made in both cultural assets and infrastructure, Egypt is poised at a pivotal moment in its tourism journey. The successful inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum may signal the dawn of a new era, invigorating the economy and nurturing cultural appreciation, ultimately benefiting both the nation and its visitors.