Egypt is exploring new ways to turn its submerged antiquities in Abu Qir Bay into a tourism magnet, including underwater museums and diving zones, as part of a broader push to boost its heritage economy and attract high-value visitors. Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly directed officials to conduct a full inventory of sunken relics and deliver a plan within a month outlining potential recovery sites and diving tourism zones, according to a Cabinet statement released Monday. The initiative underscores Egypt's efforts to diversify its tourism offerings and monetise its vast archaeological wealth. Abu Qir Bay, off the coast of Alexandria, is known for harbouring relics from the ancient cities of Heracleion and Canopus, submerged for centuries. "We must leverage Alexandria's unique submerged heritage to attract more tourists and support the economy," Prime Minister Madbouly said during a meeting attended by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy and other senior officials. The Supreme Council of Antiquities is working with UNESCO and international partners to assess the feasibility of underwater exhibitions, including potentially developing Egypt's first submerged museum. Officials are also considering recovering select artefacts for display in conventional museum spaces, the statement added. Tourism, a key economic pillar, brought in $15.3 billion in 2024, and the government sees heritage-related initiatives as critical to sustaining that momentum. Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled highlighted opportunities to work with international archaeological missions already operating in the area. Proposed plans include converting select coastal sites into diving attractions, where visitors can explore submerged ruins under guided supervision. The push aligns with Egypt's long-term vision to modernise its tourism infrastructure and expand offerings beyond traditional attractions like the Pyramids and Luxor. Any artefact recovery will comply with UNESCO's strict regulations for underwater heritage preservation, the statement added. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
