Sisi presses for flawless launch of Grand Egyptian Museum on Nov. 1

President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi on Sunday reviewed preparations for the Nov. 1 inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a decades-in-the-making project billed as the largest archaeological museum in the world. The museum is seen as a centerpiece of the country’s strategy to revive its tourism sector.

According to a presidential statement, the Egyptian president met with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy to discuss the logistical details for the opening and development of the surrounding area.

Sisi directed officials to ensure the launch reflects the museum’s status as a global cultural landmark and called for continued efforts to upgrade the wider district’s visual identity.

Tourism Minister Fathy noted that demand for Egypt’s cultural attractions is climbing, citing new investment in tourism infrastructure, promotional campaigns and efforts to diversify offerings beyond traditional sites. Expanding hotel capacity has become a priority, with the government easing land and property conversions and promoting holiday apartments to meet expected demand.

The meeting also touched on Egypt’s cooperation with UNESCO on heritage protection and sustainable management of World Heritage sites, underscoring the government’s dual focus on preserving its cultural legacy while boosting revenue from tourism — a critical source of hard currency for the country.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser