Pyramids Plateau Development Aims at Reviving Egyptian Tourism

The government launched “Pyramids Plateau development plan in 2030” as it is considered a key element in the strategy for reviving tourism in Egypt

Tourism has always been a fundamental pillar of the Egyptian economy, as it contributes by about 11.3% of the GDP, providing19.3% of hard currency, in addition to providing jobs for more than 12.6% of the total workforce, according to the Tourism Development Authority( TDA).

The pyramids development project is being implemented now due to the great importance of the pyramids as one of the world heritage sites registered in UNESCO, as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The plan includes everything from the roads leading to the pyramids to every small stall selling souvenirs.

“In the first part of our series, we'll look at what the plan went into and what we can expect to see once the project is completed,” Ashraf Mohie El Din, director general of the Pyramid Antiquities Zone, told Enterprise.

The ultimate goal is increasing tourism traffic to more than 8 million tourists annually as the infrastructure development projects in the pyramids area is believed to attract two million tourists in the first year of opening, then 5 million tourists within three years, However, Mohie El Din affirmed that the infrastructure is designed to accommodate 8 million tourists in the future.

The strategy also includes a plan to develop the Grand Egyptian Museum, Open Sphinx Museum, and Khufu Avenue, which will extend 8 kilometers and connect Sphinx Square in Mohandessin district with the pyramids, along with a Monorail train covering the same distance.

However, the project does not depend only on road construction, but includes the development of ‘Nazlet el-Samman’ and changing its name to the ‘village of Sphinx’, in order to ensure a decent life for its residents.

Transportation is going to be convenient and easy as your journey from Sphinx International Airport to the Pyramids would only take 20 minutes by car, and if you come here by air, then a helipad with a capacity of 4 helicopters would by waiting for you.

The head of the project sector at the Ministry of Antiquities Waad Abu al-Ela also stated other privileges such as special services for the elderly, guidebooks, free internet access, 4 square kilometers next to the main entrance with 12 Ticket counters, 18  bazaars and a small café, in addition to a restaurant, medical clinic, and toilets