Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy met Imad Hijazin, Jordan's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and his accompanying delegation at the Grand Egyptian Museum during his current visit to Egypt. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and the exchange of expertise between the two countries in tourism and antiquities, most notably a number of proposals to prepare and launch joint tourism products and programs and promote them in various international markets.
During the meeting, the two ministers discussed a proposal to create a joint Egyptian-Jordanian tourism product by designing tour programs that combine a number of destinations and experiences in both countries in a single trip, attracting more tourist arrivals to both countries from a number of markets, especially long-haul markets such as Latin America. This would make use of the air network provided by EgyptAir and Royal Jordanian to facilitate tourist movement between the two countries and support the promotion of joint programs, while studying opportunities to link a number of tourist and archaeological sites and routes in Egypt and Jordan to offer a more diverse and richer tourism experience.
The meeting also addressed a proposal to launch a joint spiritual tourism product linking religious and spiritual sites in Egypt and Jordan, making use of the celebration Jordan is organizing in 2030 to mark the anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ to promote this product.
In this context, Sherif Fathy stressed that the proposed vision for the spiritual tourism product is not limited to a particular occasion or celebration, but aims to offer an integrated and sustainable year-round tourism experience based on the two countries' unique religious and archaeological assets and sites, able to attract visitors from around the world.
The two ministers agreed to form a joint working team to set out mechanisms and executive programs for these proposals, study the preparation of integrated tour packages and programs and promote them in international markets, as well as strengthen communication and cooperation between the private tourism sectors in both countries to take part in designing and marketing these programs.
On archaeology, the meeting discussed strengthening cooperation and the exchange of expertise in research, excavation, restoration, museum display, training and capacity building. Sherif Fathy affirmed the ministry's readiness to share its accumulated expertise in these fields and support the areas of cooperation the Jordanian side wishes to develop.
For his part, the Jordanian minister praised Egypt's achievements in Egyptology, stressing the excellence and expertise of Egyptian archaeological personnel in managing archaeological work, excavation and restoration, alongside continued cooperation and openness to foreign missions, universities and scientific institutions.
The meeting also discussed Egypt's experience of involving the private sector in providing and operating services at archaeological sites and museums. The Jordanian minister praised what he saw during his visit to the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the balance he observed between preserving the archaeological and cultural value of these sites and developing tourism activity and the level of services offered to visitors, allowing the sites to be presented in the way and with the value they deserve.
In this context, Sherif Fathy stressed that the ministry puts the preservation and protection of archaeological sites at the top of its priorities, alongside developing the tourism experience and maximizing the sites' economic resources. He noted that the ministry sets the vision and rules governing the tourism experience, while the private sector's expertise is used to implement and operate some services in line with these rules.
He added that developing the resources of archaeological sites supports the Supreme Council of Antiquities' efforts to preserve and develop them, as well as directing resources to support maintenance, restoration and conservation at other archaeological sites across the country, achieving sustainability in managing Egypt's cultural and civilizational heritage.
After the meeting, the Jordanian minister and his delegation toured the Grand Egyptian Museum and visited the Giza Pyramids, where Sherif Fathy accompanied them on their tour of the site.
