Egypt is preparing to open the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) this Saturday, a landmark project that officials hope will usher in a new era for the nation’s tourism industry. After years of economic turbulence, health crises, and regional conflicts, Egypt is betting that the colossal museum overlooking the Giza Pyramids will draw millions of visitors and boost much-needed foreign currency revenues.
The GEM, spanning an impressive 500,000 square meters, will showcase tens of thousands of artefacts, including the complete collection of treasures belonging to Pharaoh Tutankhamun—many being displayed to the public for the first time. Designed with cutting-edge immersive exhibits and virtual-reality experiences, the museum aims to modernize Egypt’s cultural appeal, moving away from the crowded, traditional style of Cairo’s historic Egyptian Museum.
Tourism is vital to Egypt’s economy, providing key foreign currency used to fund critical imports such as fuel and wheat. In 2023, the country welcomed 15.7 million visitors who generated a record $15 billion in revenue—an impressive recovery from the $3.8 billion low recorded in 2015/16 following the political upheaval of 2011. Still, Egypt lags behind competitors like Turkey, which drew over 50 million tourists last year and earned more than $60 billion.
Tourism experts say the GEM could significantly increase Egypt’s appeal to cultural travellers, a group known to spend more and stay longer than leisure visitors. “This museum is home to an extraordinary collection that had been hidden in storage for decades,” said Ghada Abdelmoaty, an associate professor at the Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotels in Alexandria. She added that the visitor targets set by the government are “highly achievable.”
Currently, cultural tourists make up only about 10–15% of international arrivals, but Egypt hopes to grow that share. Hospitality companies are already planning packages that combine cultural visits with Red Sea getaways. “Visitors can explore the museum, then enjoy a few nights at nearby beach resorts like Ain Sukhna,” explained Remon Naguib, Chief Commercial Officer of Orient Hospitality Group.
To support the influx of visitors, Egypt has upgraded surrounding infrastructure. Roads leading to the museum have been renovated, a new airport has been built 25 kilometres away, and the entrance to the Giza Pyramids has been shifted to manage crowd flow and reduce tourist harassment.
Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy announced that Egypt recently added 5,000 new hotel rooms, with 9,000 more planned by the end of the year. Experts, however, caution that sustaining tourism growth will require continuous improvements in hospitality, transport, and urban infrastructure.
“Tourism can thrive only if the overall experience—beyond the museum itself—is world-class,” said Ragui Assaad, a professor of international economic policy at the University of Minnesota.
With the GEM’s grand opening, Egypt is not just unveiling a new museum—it is making a renewed bid to reclaim its status as one of the world’s premier cultural destinations.
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Source:Africa Publicity
