GEM Spurs Up to 30% Rise in French Tourist Arrivals: French Amb.

French tourist arrivals to Egypt have increased by 25% to 30%, buoyed by heightened interest following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), France's Ambassador to Egypt Eric Chevallier said, highlighting the enduring appeal of Egypt's ancient civilization among French travelers.

Chevallier said France's fascination with Egypt—commonly referred to as "Egyptomania"—has deep historical roots and is cultivated from an early age through the French education system, where students are introduced to Pharaonic civilization.

"That longstanding fascination continues to translate into strong demand for cultural tourism, particularly to Cairo and Upper Egypt," he said.

Chevallier said the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum received extensive coverage in the French media, significantly raising Egypt's visibility as a world-class cultural destination and contributing to the surge in visitor numbers.

He added that Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities encountered strong interest from French travel operators during a recent visit to France, reflecting growing confidence in Egypt's tourism sector and reinforcing the positive trajectory of bilateral tourism cooperation.

Beyond tourism, the ambassador underscored the breadth of Egypt-France cooperation in archaeology and cultural heritage, describing it as one of the pillars of the two countries' longstanding strategic partnership.

France currently operates three major archaeological and research institutions in Egypt: the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO), the Franco-Egyptian Centre for the Study of the Karnak Temples, and the Centre for Alexandrian Studies.

Chevallier said approximately 50 joint French-Egyptian archaeological missions are working across Egypt, reflecting decades of close collaboration in archaeological excavation, conservation and Egyptology research.

He also highlighted more than 30 years of cooperation on the revival of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria project and said France contributed to the establishment and development of the Grand Egyptian Museum's library in partnership with the museum's administration.

The ambassador said the strong cultural affinity between the two countries is reciprocal, noting that while the French maintain a deep fascination with Egypt's ancient heritage, many Egyptians share a longstanding appreciation for French culture.

His remarks underscore the growing role of cultural diplomacy in advancing Egypt-France relations, with the Grand Egyptian Museum emerging as a key driver of international tourism and cultural exchange.