Sherif Fathy, Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, met with Eric Chevalier, the French Ambassador to Cairo, at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to discuss enhancing Egyptian-French cooperation in tourism and antiquities. Discussions included strategies to increase inbound tourism from France and updates on joint archaeological projects. Minister Fathy expressed his appreciation for the deep-rooted, strategic ties between Egypt and France, underscoring the remarkable progress in bilateral relations in recent years, bolstered by mutual visits of both countries' leaders. He highlighted that Egypt is on track to welcome approximately 15.3 million tourists by the end of 2024, reaching pre-COVID-19 tourism levels. Fathy emphasized Egypt's advancements in infrastructure—including new cities, improved roads, airports, and bridges—that enhance accessibility to tourist destinations. He spotlighted the North Coast as a promising destination, visited by 105 nationalities, with three operational airports and the planned Ras El Hekma Airport to support growing demand. The Minister announced plans to develop integrated strategic frameworks for key tourist regions, including the North Coast and the area spanning Sphinx International Airport to the Saqqara Pyramid, which encompasses the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. These plans aim to attract investments and establish new hotels, entertainment hubs, and commercial spaces. Fathy also detailed the Ministry's ongoing efforts to diversify Egypt's tourism offerings by developing new products and enhancing existing ones. He highlighted the revival of long Nile cruises from Cairo to Aswan, as well as initiatives to promote ecotourism, spiritual tourism, and medical tourism. Further updates included progress on the Grand Egyptian Museum, currently undergoing trial operations, and the Giza Pyramids development project, which will feature upgraded visitor services and a dedicated recreational area for camels and horses. The Minister noted that a national program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, is improving the welfare of animals in archaeological areas. French Ambassador Eric Chevalier lauded Egypt as a premier destination for French tourists, particularly for its cultural heritage. He emphasized France's strong presence in Egypt's tourism and antiquities sector, with 48 French archaeological missions actively contributing to successful restoration and excavation projects. Recent achievements include the restoration of Karnak Temple's open museum, enhanced lighting in Luxor's Deir el-Medina tombs, and the restoration of the tomb of Hesy-Ra at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. Chevalier also highlighted France's investments in Egypt's hospitality sector, with numerous French companies engaged in hotel development. He expressed optimism for increased collaboration and investments in the coming years, reflecting the enduring partnership between the two nations.
