Extension of the 25% Discount for Tourism Companies on Combined Tickets to Hurghada Museum Until June 30, 2027
Increase in the Entry Fee for Foreign Visitors to the Pyramid of Khafre from April 2027
Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, chaired a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). During the meeting, Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the SCA, reviewed the key achievements across its various sectors over the past two months, which witnessed notable progress in archaeological discoveries, archaeological documentation and registration, and restoration projects, in addition to the opening of several archaeological sites following the completion of restoration work.
The meeting also reviewed the results of Egypt's temporary archaeological exhibitions held abroad and the success and public interest they have attracted. The "Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold" exhibition in London received around 160,000 visitors from its opening in February through the end of October. Meanwhile, the "Treasures of the Pharaohs" exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, USA, welcomed around 115,000 visitors from its opening in August through the end of October 2026. The meeting also noted the opening last week of the "The Power of Portraits: From Fayum to Rome" exhibition at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome.
The meeting also addressed the Minister's visit to the Saqqara archaeological site, where he inspected the work of the Introductory Excavation School and viewed a number of archaeological discoveries made by Egyptian and Czech missions in the area.
Fathy praised the spirit of cooperation and teamwork among the trainers and trainees participating in the Introductory Excavation School. He stressed the importance of continuing the school's activities and organizing further training phases and seasons, while making use of the scientific and practical expertise it provides to help develop the work system and improve the skills of SCA staff.
The Minister also praised the achievements of the SCA's excavation and archaeological documentation teams, whose work has led to new discoveries that reveal more of the secrets of ancient Egyptian civilization. He also highlighted the efforts being made to document, digitize, and register tombs at the Saqqara archaeological site, stressing the importance of using modern technologies to develop scientific documentation and preserve Egypt's archaeological heritage for future generations.
Fathy stressed the importance of the ongoing development work at archaeological storerooms across the country, noting that the process has already begun and will continue until all storerooms have been upgraded and all tombs documented, helping preserve Egypt's cultural, archaeological, and civilizational heritage for future generations.
During the meeting, the Board approved an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Egyptian and US governments concerning the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of Egyptian cultural property. The agreement was signed in Cairo on November 30, 2021, and aims to reduce incentives for the looting of Egypt's cultural heritage.
The Board also approved a cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority, aimed at maximizing the economic benefits of the tourism and antiquities sector and protecting intellectual property rights. The protocol also provides for the establishment of a dedicated unit within the SCA to follow up on these matters.
The Board approved extending the 25% discount granted to tourism companies on combined tickets for Hurghada Museum until June 30, 2027. It also approved an increase in the fee for entering the Pyramid of Khafre for foreign visitors only, effective April 1, 2027.
In addition, the museum storeroom in Qantara Sharq, North Sinai Governorate, will be named after Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Maksoud, former Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in recognition of his contributions and efforts in serving the antiquities of Sinai.
