Interview with Ahmed Ismail, Egyptian Tourism Counselor

Ancient pharaoh statue rises again in Egypt

Ancient pharaoh statue rises again in Egypt

The Tutankhamun gallery in Cairo's Egyptian Museum

 

The Egyptian government has recently invested heavily into the renovation and restoration of its ancient cultural sites in an effort to turn around an ailing economy, traditionally relient on tourism and struggling to recover in the wake of the Arab Spring. Art Daily reports that two completed projects have been unveiled in the last week.

On Sunday, archaeologists in Luxor presented a restored giant statue depicting the Pharaoh Amenhotep III walking. The statue, which was re-erected at the northern gate of the ruler's funerary temple, is standing for the first time since crumbling in an earthquake 3,200 years ago. Scientists pieced together the 110-ton statue from 89 chunks and several hundred of fragments. It now stands next to another effigy of the king, unveiled last spring.

“These are up to now the highest standing effigies of an Egyptian king in striding attitude," Hourig Sourouzian, head of the restoration project, told Art Daily.

On Monday, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab unveiled four newly renovated rooms in the Egyptian Museum's Tutankhamen gallery in Cairo. The halls feature the boy-king's mummy alongside various treasures that were excavated from the monarch's tomb, left untouched until 1922.

James Moran of the EU's delegation in Cairo told Art Daily that the restoration of the iconic institution “is fundamental for the economy." The EU has pledged €92,000 ($115,000) towards the redevelopment of the Egyptian Museum, which holds the largest number of Pharaonic artifacts in the world.

Egypt tourists told not to worry as Cairo embassy closed

Egypt tourists told not to worry as Cairo embassy closed

Travellers heading to Cairo should continue with their plans even though the UK embassy in the city was closed this week

By Natalie Paris

The embassy closed on Wednesday, reportedly over security fears. Canada closed its embassy too.

But advice from the Foreign Office (FCO) for tourists remains unchanged, with visitors to the city advised to take normal precautions.

“The FCO has advised that operations at the embassy will resume as soon as possible and that British nationals in Egypt requiring consular assistance should phone 022 791 6000,” said Omayma El Husseini, director of the Egyptian Tourist Authority.

“As always, we will continue to take all measures to ensure the safety of visitors to Egypt and will advise should there be any changes to the current situation.”

The FCO’s advice on its Egypt page said there is a high threat from terrorism. It still advises against all travel to the North Sinai region and all but essential travel to the South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.

The area within 50km (31 miles) of the border with Libya is also not recommended for non-essential travel, as is the area west of the Nile Valley and Delta Regions, excluding Siwa, Fayoum and the coastal areas.

Ministers in Egypt recently announced that the Sphinx will reopen, although gave no date as to when this might be.

The area around the Sphinx has been closed for almost four years to allow for damage caused by water and air pollution to be repaired.

Visitors to Egypt fell dramatically this last year following a coup in summer last year, and violence when the army and police cleared two protest sites in Cairo, killing a thousand people. Since then, there have been sporadic terrorist attacks, mainly in northern Sinai but also aimed at police checkpoints and buildings elsewhere.

There are pros to visiting now however: as Richard Spencer reported after a holiday there this summer. Prices are cheaper and the crowds are far fewer.

Tour operators report that savvy travellers are making the most of this. "Egypt is seeing an increase in numbers but it is nowhere near its peak of three years ago," said David Wiles, managing director of specialist Discover Egypt (0207 407 2111; www.discoveregypt.co.uk). "We foresee that we will need to continue our promotions and offers.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africaandindianocean/egypt/11289631/Egypt-tourists-told-not-to-worry-as-Cairo-embassy-closed.html