Eng. Mohamed Shimy, Minister of Public Business Sector, made an inspection tour of the ongoing development works at the historic Shepheard Hotel in the Garden City area of downtown Cairo, owned by the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH), an affiliate of the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels, one of the companies of the Ministry of Public Business Sector.
During the tour, the minister reviewed the implementation status of the phases of the comprehensive development, which includes modernizing the main building and constructing a new annex that adds hotel capacity, along with a car garage, a group of restaurants and service facilities and a swimming pool, raising the hotel's rating to 5 stars with a capacity of 269 rooms and suites in line with the latest international specifications and standards and enhancing its unique location overlooking the Nile, in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Al Sharif Holding Group and the international Mandarin Oriental group.
The minister held a meeting with representatives of the investor, the project manager and the contracting companies carrying out the work, during which the implementation status, performance rates and work schedule were reviewed. Eng. Mohamed Shimy directed that efforts be intensified and that the highest levels of quality and efficiency be maintained in a manner befitting the hotel's historic standing. The meeting was attended by Amr Attia, Executive Managing Director of the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels, and Hisham El-Demery, Managing Director of EGOTH.
Eng. Mohamed Shimy stressed that the Shepheard development project is one of the ministry's most prominent projects in the tourism and hotel sector, noting that reviving this venerable landmark helps strengthen Cairo's standing as a global tourist destination and reflects the strategic direction of maximizing the benefit of state-owned assets through effective partnerships with the private sector, achieving sustainable economic and tourism returns.
The minister emphasized the importance of preserving the hotel's historic character and distinctive architectural identity, as one of the most venerable hospitality landmarks in Egypt and the region, directing that the remaining works be completed quickly and that the set timeline for completing the development and starting operation be compressed.
It is worth noting that the Shepheard Hotel was first established in 1841 in the Azbakeya district, before being rebuilt in Garden City on the banks of the Nile and opened in 1957. Saudi Arabia's Al Sharif Group is undertaking the development and furnishing of the hotel, while the international Mandarin Oriental group will manage and operate it as part of its portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, according to the official Facebook page of the Egyptian Cabinet.
