Egypt upgrades visitor experience at Giza pyramids site

The heritage site is the sole remaining wonder of the ancient world

Published: October 22, 2020 12:52 Reuters and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

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Cairo: Egypt has unveiled new visitor facilities on the plateau outside Cairo where the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx are situated, the country's most visited heritage site and the sole remaining wonder of the ancient world. Image Credit: AFP

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Developers late on Tuesday night opened a new restaurant, "9 Pyramids Lounge", which covers an area of 1,341 square meters and overlooks the Giza pyramids. Image Credit: Reuters

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Egyptian waiters and employees take their positions during the opening of a new restaurant called "9 Pyramids Lounge" in Giza. Image Credit: Reuters

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There will also be a fleet of new environmentally-friendly buses to guide tourists around the plateau. Image Credit: AFP

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"One of the problems always faced is that people say there are no special services for tourists, that there is no cafeteria, no restaurant, nothing that can be offered to visitors," said Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Image Credit: AFP

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The new facilities are all easily taken part and reassembled so as to protect the antiquities and Waziri said the open-air restaurant offered "a panorama view that cannot be matched anywhere in the world." Image Credit: AFP

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Tourism accounts for up to 15% of Egypt's national output. Image Credit: AFP

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However, officials have said previously the sector is losing around $1 billion each month after largely shutting down for several months from March due to the spread of coronavirus. Image Credit: AFP

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The changes at the plateau are part of wider efforts to develop key tourist sites in the country. Image Credit: Reuters

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Next year the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to be the world's largest archaeological museum, is due to open just beyond the Giza Pyramids. Image Credit: AFP

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Egyptian business tycoon Naguib Sawiris, the plateau's main developer, said the 301 million Egyptian pound ($19.23 million)project is part of a greater plan to develop the UNESCO world heritage site and streamline tourists' experience. Image Credit: Reuters

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"We will organise the salespeople," said Sawiris. "We will not deprive them of their income but we will put them into suitable, nice places." Image Credit: AFP

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