Hawass: Entrance Fees to Archaeological Areas Don't Reflect True Value of Egyptian Civilization

In an interview with journalist Ahmed Moussa on the program "On My Responsibility" broadcast on Sada El Balad channel, renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass stated that he believes the current entry fees for Egyptian archaeological sites do not reflect the value of this ancient civilization. 

He expressed a desire to increase the fees in order to generate funds for the preservation and development of these sites.

Dr. Hawass also described Siwa as a paradise and emphasized that Egypt is home to ancient and magnificent monuments from various eras including Islamic, Coptic, and Pharaonic.

He highlighted the potential challenges of increased tourism, citing insufficient flights and accommodation facilities. Dr. Hawass stressed the importance of conveying the message abroad that Egypt is a safe tourist destination.

Moreover, he pointed out that events in neighboring countries, such as Israel's actions in Gaza and the situation in Sudan, impact the flow of tourists to Egypt due to misconceptions about the country's safety.

Dr. Hawass further anticipated an uptick in Christian and Jewish tourism in Sinai following the development of the city of St. Catherine.