The Chief archaeologist at the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Magdy Shaker, said that the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) came at an ideal time for Egypt’s winter tourism season, coinciding with the influx of tourists from around the world.
Shaker added that planning should now begin for the period following the winter tourist season – specifically after March, when tourist numbers begin to decline with the onset of summer.
He continued that the GEM should be utilized during this period to host various events, so that the museum can continue to welcome visitors as it did at the opening.
Shaker referred to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s directives to develop and utilize the area surrounding the pyramids and the museum, and the work being done to establish more than 10,000 new hotel rooms in the area to accommodate the influx of tourists throughout the different tourist seasons.
He added that the GEM and its official opening ceremony have proven to be a great success for Egypt, according to estimates of daily visits to the museum, which have exceeded 19,000 visitors per day.
Shaker also praised the transfer of ticket bookings for entry to GEM to the museum’s official website as a result of the large turnout of Egyptian and foreign visitors to the museum daily, especially on official holidays when the number of visitors exceeds the museum’s capacity.
