The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a $1 billion project and the largest archaeological complex in the world dedicated to a single civilization, officially opens tomorrow.
Officials believe the museum, located in Cairo, could attract up to seven million additional visitors annually, potentially boosting Egypt’s total number of tourists to around 30 million by 2030.
Overlooking the famous Pyramids of Giza, the museum spans 500,000 square meters and houses tens of thousands of artifacts, including the complete collection of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, featuring his legendary golden funerary mask and numerous other objects, some of which are being displayed for the first time.
Last year, Egypt attracted 15.7 million visitors, who spent a record $15 billion, according to official data.
The project was first announced in 1992, though construction did not begin until 2005. Parts of the museum opened in a trial phase in 2024.
Egypt, which has repeatedly required bailout packages to stabilize its economy, relies heavily on foreign currency from tourism to fund essential imports such as fuel and grain.
Tourism collapsed to a low of $3.8 billion in 2015–2016 amid the widespread political unrest following the 2011 uprising. However, factors such as aging infrastructure, poor planning, and security restrictions continue to limit the sector’s full potential.
Source: Guardian
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