The Supreme Council of Antiquities approved decisions, at its borad session chaired by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani on Tuesday, to promote cultural tourism in Egypt.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that one of the most important decisions has been the approval of a 50% discount on entry tickets, available to Egyptians, at museums and archaeological sites.
He added that the discount comes as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ “Enjoy your winter in Egypt” initiative. It has been launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Chamber of Hotel Establishments, and will occur during January and February 2021.
A 50% reduction on tickets to museums and archaeological sites will also be granted to fans attending the 2021 Men’s World Handball Championship, hosted by Egypt. These tickets will be valid for sites open for visits in the Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria governorates and for the championship between 13 and 31 January 2021, provided they have the appropriate ID.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has participated in providing some logistical and tourism programmes for the tournament’s fans travelling to Egypt from abroad.
The ministry has also directed for all archaeological sites and museums to continue implementing precautionary measures, including: maintaining social distancing between visitors; wearing face masks; and ensuring that tourist groups do not exceed 25 individuals. This comes in addition to adhering to the maximum number of visitors present at the same time inside museums.
Waziri indicated that the Board has also agreed to extend a complete rental fee payment exemption to all cafeterias and bazaars in museums and archaeological sites affiliated to the Council.
The exemption will be applied over January and February 2021, and comes as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ continued efforts to mitigate the economic effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
The move comes in addition to a continued freeze on ticket prices to museums and archaeological sites until at least November 2021.
