Egypt’s efforts to revitalize the Pyramids of Giza, one of the world’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have encountered a series of challenges, with protests from local vendors and mixed reactions from visitors.
Each year, millions of tourists flock to the Pyramids of Giza to experience the awe-inspiring ancient structures and the Great Sphinx. However, for years, visitors have reported unpleasant experiences, including overcrowding, aggressive vendors, and concerns over animal cruelty.
In response to these issues, the Egyptian government, in collaboration with Orascom Pyramids Entertainment Services Company, has embarked on a $51 million (€45 million) project to improve the management and sustainability of the site.
One of the key changes includes the introduction of a new access point to the complex on the Fayoum Highway, replacing the traditional entrance near Marriott Mena House, notorious for traffic congestion.
While the hope is that the new route will alleviate overcrowding, the trial run of this new access point has sparked backlash from horse and camel tour operators.
These vendors, long accused of harassing tourists and engaging in extortion, have protested their relocation to new designated parking areas, arguing that the zones are too far from the entrance and could severely damage their business.
Business magnate Naguib Sawiris, founder of Orascom Telecom Holding, took to social media to defend the new plan, stating that the interests of the 2,000 vendors would not outweigh the need to preserve the site and protect visitors.
Sawiris declared that those who refused to move to the new zones would be banned from operating on the site.
“The well-being of the public and preservation of this treasure is far more important than catering to the interests of 2,000 individuals who have caused harm to the country for years,” he said in a post.
Alongside the vendor relocation, the revamp includes the introduction of eco-friendly electric vehicles to replace private cars and tour buses on the site.
This move aims to reduce traffic and enhance the sustainability of the Pyramids complex. However, some visitors have voiced complaints on social media, citing long wait times and the inconvenience of walking in the hot desert climate due to limited availability of the vehicles.
In response, Orascom confirmed that 45 electric buses are available, with schedules to run every five minutes.
Another significant aspect of the renovations involves the restoration of several tombs and the implementation of online ticketing, which is expected to streamline visitor access.
A new visitor center is also set to be introduced to provide guests with a more comfortable and informative experience.
While these improvements are hoped to bring about a positive change for both tourists and the site itself, some are also hopeful that the vendor relocation will help curb the ongoing problem of animal abuse.
A recent investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) revealed instances of animal cruelty, with horses and camels left in poor conditions or abandoned by their handlers.
As the revamp continues, the Egyptian government faces the challenge of balancing the preservation of this historical treasure with the interests of local vendors, ensuring that visitors can enjoy the Pyramids in a more peaceful and ethical environment.