“Unveiling the Treasure of the Century: The Grand Egyptian Museum Opens Its Doors”

The Upcoming Opening

Egypt is preparing to inaugurate the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on November 1, with hopes that it will give the tourism sector a powerful boost after years of declining revenues.

Concept and Development

The idea for the museum was born in the 1990s, aiming to build the largest museum in the world to tell the story of ancient Egyptian civilization, overlooking the iconic Pyramids of Giza.

After decades of planning, obstacles, and construction, the museum is finally set to open its doors.

The new museum covers an area of 490,000 square meters and houses around 100,000 artifacts, spanning Egypt’s history from prehistoric times to the end of Roman rule.

The Grand Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by world leaders and international organizations, prompting the Egyptian government to declare the day a paid public holiday to facilitate logistics and movement for foreign delegations.

Funding and Challenges

The project faced several challenges, mainly financial ones, as construction costs reached $1.2 billion.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed to provide $800 million in two soft loans, while the Egyptian government covered the remaining amount.

Initial feasibility studies and planning took more than ten years, with the foundation stone laid in 2002.

By 2010, the first two construction phases were completed, including the preparation of the site and the establishment of an International Conservation Center for artifact restoration.

Following the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, work was halted but resumed in 2016. By 2020, construction was 98% complete, and the museum was officially designated as an independent economic authority under the Ministry of Antiquities.

In 2021, 90% of the museum’s digital infrastructure was completed. The opening, initially planned for July 2025, was postponed to late 2025 due to regional tensions arising from the Iran–Israel conflict.

Rising Tourism Flows

The tourism sector was heavily affected by the events following the 2011 revolution, but it has recently shown strong signs of recovery.

Between January and September 2025, Egypt received around 15 million tourists, marking a 21% annual increase, with projections of 18 million tourists by year’s end.

Tourism revenues rose to $12.5 billion from July 2024 to March 2025, compared to $10.9 billion during the same period the previous year — a 14.7% growth rate.

The sector contributed 3.7% of Egypt’s GDP in 2024/2025 — the highest level in a decade.

The government expects the Grand Egyptian Museum to attract 5 million visitors annually. During its trial opening in 2023, it received nearly 800,000 visitors.

According to Fitch, Egypt’s tourism sector is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.7%, reaching 20.65 million tourists by 2029, with revenues expected to hit $19 billion.

Ticket prices are set at $4 for Egyptians and $30 for foreign visitors.

Development Projects Around the Museum

The Egyptian government has invested heavily in developing the area surrounding the GEM to transform it into a comprehensive tourist hub, including:

* A 1.27 km pedestrian walkway connecting the museum to the Giza Pyramids.

* A new metro station named “Grand Museum.”

* A network of new roads and highways for better accessibility.

* The expansion of Sphinx International Airport, just 15 minutes away.

* A greening project with 6,400 trees and 90,000 square meters of green spaces.

* 750 sculptures of prominent Egyptian figures along the museum road.

* A visual identity project, painting 3,000 surrounding buildings in harmonious colors.

Economic and Developmental Impact

A report by the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) under the Egyptian Cabinet predicted that the GEM will stimulate economic activity across sectors such as construction, transportation, insurance, and manufacturing, making it a driver of sustainable growth.

The report, titled “The Grand Egyptian Museum: Egypt’s Gateway to the Civilization of the Future,” emphasized that museums play a key role in attracting cultural tourists — a high-spending segment that tends to stay longer.

It also highlighted the museum’s local development benefits, including the establishment of restaurants, artisan centers, shops, hotels, and improved transportation networks around the site.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism

Egypt currently has 83 museums, including 73 dedicated to art and history.

Visitor numbers rose from 4.3 million in 2022 to 4.8 million in 2023, an 11.6% increase.

A study by the Egyptian Center for Thought and Strategic Studies predicted that the museum would contribute to job creation, both directly and indirectly, through the implementation of sustainability principles.

The tourism industry employs about 10% of Egypt’s total workforce

A Key Source of Foreign Currency

According to Dr. Rashad Abdo, President of the Egyptian Forum for Economic Studies, tourism is Egypt’s third-largest source of foreign currency, after exports and remittances.

He noted that investing in the tourism sector has a strong positive impact on the national economy — provided that it is managed by qualified professionals and supported by proper training and promotion.

Dr. Abdo described the Grand Egyptian Museum as one of the world’s most significant cultural institutions dedicated to a single civilization. However, he emphasized the importance of intensive international marketing to attract global audiences.

He also suggested designing integrated travel packages linking visits to the GEM with destinations like Sharm El-Sheikh and Aswan, and revising foreign ticket prices, which he considers too low.

In conclusion, Abdo pointed out that Egypt’s tourism management still lags behind global standards — noting that France earns around $85 billion annually from tourism, while Egypt generates around $15 billion, despite its far richer historical assets.