How Egypt’s tourism ministry is recovering from COVID-19

The global tourism economy is rapidly recovering after the pandemic and travel looks like it has returned to normal but it will take a few years for economies to recoup their losses.

Egypt is one of the economies that suffered greatly during COVID 19 but the Tourism Ministry is pouring billions into the sector to give it a much-needed facelift and launch it to new heights.

Early indications are looking positive and the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year has shown great promise for Egypt’s tourism recovery.

The phenomenal history that is captured in Egypt along with relaxed visa policies and affordable rates make Egypt a top destination for hungry tourists.

Financial support for museums
The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that Egypt’s tourism sector lost nearly $18 billion during the pandemic, an industry that accounts for around 12% of the country’s GDP.

The first efforts to revive the industry were a huge push from the Tourism Ministry to restore archaeological sites and two parades that made the world sit up and take notice.

Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El Anany explained that it is not only a tourism effort but also a way for the country to preserve its heritage and treasures on an unprecedented scale.

“Even during Covid when we didn’t have tourists, I’m getting the full budget I’m asking for…I’m getting billions and billions of Egyptian pounds,” he said. “We are paying like we never paid before to preserve our heritage.”

Egypt has more than 2,500 archeological sites but El Anany explained that only a few dozen are visited by tourists leaving them with a huge untapped resource.

He already invested $80 million in museums across the country in 2017, spearheading various projects to reopen museums and create modern ones alike.

Some of the major projects in Cairo included the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, the Naguib Mahfouz Museum, the Hurghada Museum, the Sharm El Sheikh Museum, the Kafr El Sheikh Museum, and the Royal Carriages Museum.