By Akram Medhat
Minister of Tourism Dr. Rania Al-Mashat honored archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass for his efforts in promoting Egyptian tourism abroad, in the presence of UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, on the sidelines of a gala organized by the Ministry of Tourism in the front courtyard of the Police Museum at the Citadel of Saladin for Arab tourism ministers and the delegations of the countries taking part in the 45th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East, hosted by Cairo.
The gala was attended by UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili; Mohammed Al-Muhairi, advisor to the UAE Minister of Economy for tourism affairs and this year's chair of the organization's Regional Commission for the Middle East; and a number of tourism ministers and representatives of Arab countries. Also in attendance were Minister of Antiquities Dr. Khaled El-Enany and Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad.
Dr. Zahi Hawass reviewed the most important discoveries he has made and the new discoveries to be announced soon in the Valley of the Monkeys in Luxor. He stressed the role of antiquities in attracting inbound tourism to Egypt and the importance of taking part in temporary exhibitions of Egyptian antiquities abroad, noting that participation in these exhibitions helps promote the cultural tourism for which Egypt is distinguished and creates a passion for Egyptian antiquities.
During the gala, the Reda Folklore Troupe performed artistic shows of the Egyptian folklore that distinguishes the country's various cities.
