Tourists visit historical sites in spite of unrest, minister says

Tourists visit historical sites in spite of unrest, minister says

On

Thu, 29/11/2012 - 12:46

Antiquities Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Ali said Thursday that tourism is thriving in many archaeological sites and museums in various governorates despite the ongoing political tensions.

He added all museums would be open as usual on Saturday during the mass demonstrations Islamists are organizing to support President Mohamed Morsy.

Archaeological sites will also be open during normal hours, Ali said, adding that “the current political environment will not affect tourism to archaeological sites.”

The ministry is “confident that Egypt's youth are determined to protect their country’s monuments, as they always are in such circumstances,” he said.

Reports of looting and break-ins at historical sights and museums were widespread during protests in 2011.

The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square received 951 visitors on Wednesday, while 2,500 tourists saw the sights in Luxor, the minister noted. On the same day, 2,000 people visited Abu Simbel, Edfu and Kom Ombo, and 2,186 went to the pyramids, according to ministry data.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

                     

                     

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Comments are limited to a maximum of 1000 characters.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
On 6 April, security forces clashed with hundreds of protesters, most of them from the April 6 Youth Movement, during a...
Protesters block traffic in Tahrir Square, after Security forces re-opened it, and removed barbed wires, and iron barrier,  Cairo, 27 March 2013.
Protesters block traffic in Tahrir Square, after Security forces re-opened it, and removed barbed wires, and iron...
Who's The Infidel of Them All?
*Entertainment*  Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, You're the infidel of them all. Now get out!