Hossam El Shaer, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Chambers Federation, affirmed that the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) represents a global and exceptional event of which every Egyptian is proud, extending congratulations to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the people of Egypt on this historic occasion that embodies the greatness of Egyptian civilization and re-establishes Egypt at the forefront of the global tourism map.
Speaking on the program Akher El Nahar with anchor Khaled Abu Bakr on Al-Nahar Channel, El Shaer expressed his pride in being a member of the GEM's Board of Directors and a witness to this colossal project, which he described as one of the greatest cultural achievements of the modern era. He stressed that the associated global publicity and media momentum must be effectively leveraged to cement Egypt's position as the premier destination for cultural tourism.
He added that the museum's opening will strongly contribute to attracting more tourists to the archaeological sites in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, emphasizing the importance of hosting major international events, exhibitions, and activities inside the museum to maximize its publicity and tourist return.
The Federation Chairman pointed out that the security and stability established by President El-Sisi was the primary factor in increasing tourist numbers from approximately 15 to 18 million annually, asserting that the President has placed the tourism sector on the path to global competition. He maintained that Egypt is capable of achieving even greater leaps if certain administrative obstacles are overcome, investment procedures are simplified, and investors are encouraged.
Funding Initiatives and Investment
El Shaer noted that the government has provided strong support to the tourism sector through financing initiatives to encourage investors to establish and upgrade hotel facilities, alongside its efforts to develop the area surrounding the museum and the Pyramids. He mentioned that an international consultant has been retained to develop the master plan for the area to ensure the attraction of more foreign investment and enhance the tourist experience.
He revealed that he submitted a proposal to develop the Nazlet El-Samman area into a "holiday homes" district that would enrich the tourist experience and extend their stay, a proposal that was highly welcomed by the Prime Minister. He emphasized the necessity of introducing more entertainment activities, international restaurants, and hotels in the vicinity of the Pyramids and the GEM to increase the average tourist stay to about ten days.
El Shaer also called for the removal of impediments facing investors in obtaining hotel construction licenses, which can sometimes take two to three years, demanding that this period be shortened to just one week to encourage local and international investors to inject more capital into the sector.
Beach Tourism: Key to Growth
The Federation Chairman highlighted that 80% of global tourism movement is concentrated in beach tourism, while cultural, therapeutic, sports, and other types account for only about 20%. He explained that Egypt enjoys an exceptional advantage, possessing two of the world's most beautiful seas, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, in addition to its mild climate, bright sunshine, stunning beaches, and unique monuments.
He added that Egypt needs to add no less than 200,000 new hotel rooms in the coming years, with the largest share allocated to the Red Sea to keep pace with the increasing demand for beach destinations, stressing that the private sector is a key partner in achieving this goal.
He underscored the importance of competitive land prices in the Red Sea and Sharm El Sheikh areas to attract more investments, along with developing tourism-supportive infrastructure. He praised the significant progress in the road networks and called for accelerating the implementation of the duplication of the Marsa Alam road, linking Aswan to Marsa Alam, and Edfu to Marsa Alam, which will facilitate tourist movement and revitalize Southern destinations.
Airport Efficiency and Capacity
El Shaer stressed the need to expand and upgrade the efficiency of Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Sphinx International Airports to accommodate the expected increase in tourist numbers. He called for utilizing the private sector in managing airports and providing necessary services and facilities for tourists, in addition to the necessity of supporting the Egyptian aviation fleet and increasing direct flights to various tourist destinations.
El Shaer concluded his statements by affirming that Egypt possesses all the components desired by tourism policymakers worldwide—including stunning nature, unique diversity, advanced infrastructure, security, and stability. He indicated that close cooperation between the government and the private sector is the way to achieve a comprehensive leap in Egyptian tourism in the coming years.
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