Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, has met with representatives from major Japanese media outlets to promote Egyptian tourism and discuss the soon-to-open Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The meetings, which included representatives from news agencies, newspapers and television channels such as Kyodo News, Asahi Shimbun, Japan Press, and Travel Voice, took place during Fathy's official visit to Tokyo. The visit coincided with the inauguration of the "Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs" temporary antiquities exhibition, currently in its sixth location. The trip also aimed to promote Egypt's tourism sector and facilitate professional discussions, the ministry said. A key topic of discussion was the Grand Egyptian Museum, its extensive collection of artefacts, and its highly anticipated opening date. During the meetings, Fathy emphasised the GEM's significance as a world-class cultural institution. "The Grand Egyptian Museum is a cultural and civilisational edifice that provides an exceptional and unique experience for its visitors," Fathy said. "It will be a landmark destination in Egypt, attracting both domestic and international tourists." Fathy added that the GEM is the world's largest museum dedicated to a single civilization: ancient Egypt. The museum will showcase a vast array of artefacts spanning different periods of Egyptian history. The GEM will also, for the first time, exhibit the complete collection of treasures belonging to King Tutankhamun. The complex includes the Khufu Boat Museum. Fathy extended an invitation to people worldwide, and especially to the Japanese public, to visit Egypt and explore the GEM. He assured potential visitors of a "unique and unforgettable tourist experience." The minister also noted the increasing number of tourists visiting Egypt from various markets, stating that the country welcomed 15.8 million visitors in 2024, a record number. Fathy said that this figure, achieved despite geopolitical challenges, "demonstrates the confidence tourists place in Egypt as a safe, secure, and stable destination."
