Egypt's Cultural Heritage at the Core of Tourism Strategy Amidst GEM Launch and Global Cooperation

Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, has firmly stated that the preservation and promotion of the nation's ancient treasures remain a paramount focus of national policy. According to the Minister, the trajectory for future tourism expansion must be intrinsically linked with safeguarding cultural assets, thereby reflecting Egypt's pivotal role within the global framework for sustainable development.

Minister Issa highlighted that Egypt has already made substantial contributions to international climate initiatives, notably by hosting the COP27 summit. He emphasized that cultural tourism serves as the bedrock of the national strategy, offering a dual benefit: bolstering economic vitality while simultaneously ensuring the enduring protection of historical legacies.

On December 13, 2025, Ahmed Issa participated in the Ninth Summit of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which convened in Athens. The central theme of this forum was the 'Egypt 2025' declaration, an agenda focused on advancing education, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and combating the illicit trade of artifacts. During this gathering, it was announced that Egypt will host the subsequent Ministry of Tourism summit in 2027.

Significant attention has been directed toward the Grand Egyptian Museum itself. This monumental complex officially commenced operations on November 1, 2025, following a construction period spanning more than two decades. The newly established museum complex now stands as the world's largest center dedicated to Egyptian archaeology and serves as a powerful symbol of the state's contemporary cultural vision.

Continuing this commitment to heritage preservation, on December 14, Minister Issa attended the unveiling of two meticulously restored plaster casts of treasures originating from Tutankhamun's tomb. This project, executed in partnership with the German Archaeological Institute, exemplifies successful international collaboration that traces its roots back to the tomb's original discovery in 1922. Dr. Mohamed Sameh Khaled, the project lead, confirmed that the restoration work adhered to the highest international benchmarks. The Minister extended deep gratitude to the German specialists and to Dieter Raue, the Director of the Egyptian Antiquities Service, for their crucial contributions to monument conservation.

Concurrently, the Ministry is aggressively pursuing digital transformation initiatives. Between October and December 2025, the third iteration of the 'GEM Hackathon' took place, operating under the theme 'Data-Driven GEM: Listening to Every Voice,' in collaboration with the RiseUp platform. This forward-thinking initiative aims to deploy advanced data analytics to significantly enhance the visitor experience and boost public engagement.

During various international engagements, Egypt is actively strengthening ties with foreign partners in the tourism sector. Discussions at the Best in Business 2025 forum explored new avenues for cooperation between Europe and the Middle East, where the Head of Tourism, Dr. Al-Takrimi, presented the significant advancements achieved within the Egyptian tourism sector.

Furthermore, a new joint venture, 'Tourism Evasion,' has been launched in the French market alongside the organization Travel Evasion. This initiative is specifically designed to deepen cultural connections and vigorously promote Egypt's diverse travel routes to French tourists.

In summation, the comprehensive array of activities—ranging from high-level international projects to pioneering digital innovations—clearly demonstrates that Egypt is successfully harmonizing tourism, culture, and technology. This integrated approach is instrumental in positioning its rich heritage as a vital component of its future sustainable development goals.