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Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
An early Coptic city unveiled in Egypt's Western Desert - Coptic
An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has unveiled a significant discovery in the heart of the Western Desert of the remains of the central residential city of Kharga Oasis, dating back to the early Coptic period. Located in the Ain al-Kharab archaeological site within the Islamic and Coptic archaeological zone, the city offers rare insight into Egypt's transition from paganism to Christianity. Among the findings are the ruins of residential structures, churches, and cemeteries, as well as a mural depicting Christ healing a sick person. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, described the discovery as a testament to the depth and diversity of Egyptian civilisation during one of its most transformative periods. "This find enriches our understanding of religious transition in Egypt and highlights the values of tolerance and cultural diversity deeply rooted in our history," he said. He reaffirmed the Ministry's continued support for archaeological missions nationwide and commended the achievements of Egyptian teams working to enhance Egypt's global standing as a cultural tourism destination. "This discovery is considered as a valuable window into early Christian life in Egypt," asserted Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA. He emphasised the importance of the find in shedding light on the beginnings of the Coptic era in Egypt. "Kharga Oasis played a key role as a religious and social hub throughout many historical periods, and this discovery further confirms its significance," Khaled stated. He explained that the unearthed structures include mudbrick homes with plastered walls, service areas equipped with daily-use ovens, and storage spaces containing large, fixed pottery jars once used for preserving food and grain. The mission also recovered ostraca, pottery fragments, glass and stone artefacts, burial remains, and a vivid mural illustrating Christ performing a healing miracle. Seham Ismail, Director General of Antiquities in Kharga and head of the mission, revealed that the team also uncovered the remains of two churches. One is a large basilica-style church featuring a central hall flanked by two aisles, separated by rows of square columns, with service buildings lying to its south. The second church is smaller, rectangular in shape, with remnants of seven exterior columns and Coptic inscriptions still visible on its interior walls. Additional service structures were found on its western side. Ismail added that findings from previous excavation seasons indicate that the site was used continuously across several historical eras. Roman-era buildings were later adapted for use during the early Coptic period and again in the Islamic era — a testament to the region's long-standing role as a centre of life and continuity. This latest discovery further cements Egypt's Western Oases' status as historical treasures and reinforces the country's enduring significance in the region's religious and cultural narrative. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 hours ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Tourist numbers up - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt ranked 10th in the world for increasing tourist arrivals during the first three months of this year. In a strong start to the year, Egypt's tourism sector has recorded impressive growth, earning the country a place among the top 20 global performers for the first quarter of 2025. The achievement comes as a result of targeted marketing campaigns, the expansion of airline connections and the aviation incentive programme, improved infrastructure, and enhanced visitor experiences across cultural and coastal destinations, according to tourism experts. According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer issued by UN Tourism, Egypt ranked 10th among the world's top 20 best-performing countries in tourist arrivals, recording a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 40 per cent rise over the pre-pandemic year of 2019. In mid-June this year, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlighted Egypt's exceptional performance in its latest Economic Impact Research Report, reporting record-breaking figures for the sector. In 2024, Egypt's travel and tourism sector reached an unprecedented milestone, contributing LE1.4 trillion to national GDP, equivalent to 8.5 per cent of the economy, the highest share ever recorded. This figure does not only include tourism revenues but also the spending of tourists, the job opportunities the sector created through the year, and investments in the sector. 'Looking ahead, the momentum is set to continue,' the report said, adding that projections for 2025 indicate a further 4.9 per cent growth in the sector, with its contribution to GDP forecast to rise to 8.6 per cent, setting yet another all-time high. 'Egypt's travel and tourism sector is experiencing a powerful resurgence, with record-breaking economic contribution and a sustained surge in visitor spending. These numbers reflect a sector on the rise: dynamic, resilient, and vital to the country's growth,' Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, was quoted as saying in a statement. She added that with its rich cultural heritage, world-class attractions, and growing connectivity, Egypt continues to captivate travellers from around the globe. The government's focus on investment, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism is clearly paying off. Sherif Fathy, minister of tourism and antiquities, confirmed that the country had recorded an increase ranging between 23 and 24 per cent in tourist arrivals during the first half of 2025, reaching 8.7 million visitors, compared to the same period in 2024, with 22 per cent growth recorded in June alone. He added that the country is targeting a 14 per cent increase in inbound tourist traffic, aiming to attract between 17.5 to 18 million visitors by the end of 2025. 'This goal reflects the government's strategic commitment to expanding and strengthening the tourism sector as a major pillar of national economic growth,' he said. Fathy emphasised that the ministry is intensifying efforts to enhance Egypt's tourism environment through large-scale infrastructure upgrades and expanded global promotional campaigns. According to data from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), tourism revenues reached a record $15.3 billion in 2024, marking a nine per cent increase over the previous year. These figures underscore the success of government policies designed to position Egypt as a premier destination for international travellers. The Red Sea resorts and Nile cruises were among the strongest performers, with a 25 per cent increase in tourist numbers during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, receiving 3.9 million visitors. 'Egypt's rising appeal as a global tourism destination is being driven by a combination of security, political stability, economic competitiveness, and strategic marketing efforts to targeted markets,' Fathy said. The security conditions in Egypt have positioned it as a preferred destination for travellers from Europe, the Gulf region, and beyond. Last Saturday, the US and the UK announced updated travel advisories for Egypt, reflecting improved safety conditions. Egypt has been reclassified by the US Department of State under Level Two: Exercise Increased Caution, placing it in the same category as countries such as France and Germany. Egypt was previously under Level Three: Reconsider Travel. Another major factor fuelling this growth is the relatively cheap Egyptian pound when compared to currencies used by Gulf and European tourists, making the destination attractive for leisure travel, business, and longer stays. As part of its strategy to expand its global reach, the government has rolled out several digital campaigns targeting key regional markets, under the slogan: 'Egypt… Unmatched Diversity.' 'We are actively working to diversify Egypt's tourism products to unlock the full potential of our heritage, nature, and beaches, transforming them into marketable, world-class experiences that speak to today's global traveller,' Fathi said, elaborating that the ministry's goal is to position the country as the world's most dynamic and diverse tourist destination. New destinations such as the Siwa Oasis, Alamein, and South Sinai are being introduced to both local and international markets. These emerging regions offer unique experiences in eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and medical tourism, reflecting the government's broader strategy to attract a more diverse and sustainability-minded traveller base. The country, in cooperation with the global travel platform WEGO has recently launches an initiative to attract one million Arab tourists by mid-2026. The campaign utilises multilingual digital marketing tools, particularly in Arabic and English, to engage a wider audience and promote Egypt as a dynamic and accessible destination. Global travel demand has remained strong and resilient, according to the UN Tourism May 2025's Barometer. Around 300 million tourists travelled internationally in the first quarter of 2025, about 14 million more than in 2024. International tourist arrivals increased by five per cent in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, and three per cent above the pre-pandemic year 2019. Despite global uncertainty, travel demand is expected to remain resilient. UN Tourism's January projection of three to five per cent growth in international arrivals for 2025 remains unchanged. * A version of this article appears in print in the 24 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Rehla platform to launch soon, offering free school trips to museums, heritage sites - Museums
In a significant step toward promoting cultural and archaeological awareness among young generations, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is preparing to launch a new digital platform titled Rehla, dedicated to organizing free school excursions for public school students nationwide. The initiative falls under the Ministry's broader strategy to foster educational engagement with Egypt's rich heritage, while leveraging digital transformation to improve accessibility and the overall visitor experience. Through Rehla, public primary and preparatory schools will be able to schedule free visits to 112 archaeological sites and museums, which are available for booking via the Ministry's digital platform. These include some of Egypt's most iconic landmarks, such as the Giza Pyramids Complex, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Citadel of Salah El-Din, Karnak and Abu Simbel Temples, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to adopting advanced technologies in support of its strategic goals, with a particular focus on improving the visitor experience and expanding access to cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of completing the Rehla platform before the start of the upcoming academic year, including all technical development, content validation, and final testing. 'Once operational, the platform is expected to streamline the process of booking school trips, minimize overcrowding at heritage sites, ensure the safety of participating students, and foster greater awareness and appreciation of Egypt's diverse tourism and archaeological legacy,' Fathy said. Mohamed Shaaban, the Minister's Associate for Digital Transformation, explained that the platform—developed in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education—integrates both ministries' databases to enable secure, electronic verification for school trip coordinators. Once launched, Rehla will offer a user-friendly system for planning visits according to designated time slots and site-specific visitor capacities, ensuring a well-managed, crowd-free, and safe educational experience. Free admission is granted to participating students, as per decisions issued by the boards of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, as part of a broader effort to promote early cultural engagement. The Rehla platform is being executed in collaboration with E-Aswaq Misr, the company behind the Ministry's e-ticketing system and a subsidiary of E-Finance for Financial and Digital Investments. The launch of Rehla is part of a broader digital transformation effort by the Ministry, which has recently rolled out an integrated e-ticketing system for archaeological sites and museums. This system supports payments via bank cards and multiple digital channels, including the official website the Experience Egypt mobile app, self-service kiosks, and dedicated sales points for tour operators. By offering free, well-organized school trips to Egypt's cultural and historical landmarks, the Rehla platform aims to become a cornerstone in the government's mission to nurture a generation more deeply connected to its national identity and heritage—through the power of education and digital innovation. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Watani
3 days ago
- Watani
Giza pyramids get new eco-friendly interior lighting
The three Giza pyramids of Khufo, Khafre, Mankaure have been fitted with new state-of-the-art, eco friendly LED interior lighting systems. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) collaborated with the Spanish government to upgrade the pyramids' lighting systems to a new one that highlights the grandeur and genius of the interior design of the pyramids. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said that the lighting project serves the Ministry's purpose to improve the quality of services provided in archeological sites and museums, while improving visitor experience and enhancing the beauty of Egyptian monuments. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, explained that the new eco friendly lighting system depends on cold lighting units that are completely safe for the original ancient architectural components used in the pyramids. He said it provides a unique visual experience for visitors, highlighting the aesthetics of ancient Egyptian architecture and its legendary accuracy in monuments built to glorify immortality, a cornerstone of the faith of ancient Egyptians. The lighting project, Dr Khaled noted, was implemented by a team of archeologists and specialised engineers from Spain, after completing all the necessary scientific and technical studies. For his part, Director General of Giza Antiquities Ashraf Mohieddine explained that the lighting project covered all the interior corridors of the three pyramids, in addition to the burial chambers, escalation passages and internal chambers. Comments comments Tags: Giza pyramids interior eco friendly lighting
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian Museum trains archaeology students, offers free local tours - Ancient Egypt
The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir has launched a summer training programme for university students specializing in archaeology, tour guiding, and history. The initiative provides hands-on experience in museum operations, heritage management, artefact display, and documentation. Running alongside the programme is a community outreach initiative offering free guided tours for Egyptian visitors, led by volunteers from the Friends of the Egyptian Museum group. The aim is to enrich local cultural engagement during the summer. The training is part of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' strategy to bridge academic education with the practical needs of Egypt's tourism and cultural sectors. Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy emphasized the importance of investing in youth to build a skilled heritage workforce. 'This initiative aligns with our vision to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of responding to the practical demands of the tourism sector and contributing meaningfully to the preservation of our national heritage,' he said. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the programme as part of the Council's broader mandate to build human capacity and promote social responsibility. 'This initiative offers students an interactive and immersive educational environment that fosters both professional development and a deeper sense of national identity,' he noted. Ali Abdel Halim, Director General of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, stated that students will receive comprehensive training in exhibition curation, artefact classification, conservation, restoration, documentation, and museum administration. Experienced curators and conservators deliver the programme. The Friends of the Egyptian Museum initiative continues to offer free guided tours throughout the summer, in a bid to improve public appreciation of heritage and access to educational museum resources. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
