Egyptian Heritage Turns Into National Embarrassment

In late 2016, Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities and Ministry of Tourism announced that they had spent a collective $US 40 million to renovate the Great Pyramids of Giza Complex in an attempt to make the area more accessible and enjoyable for visitors. Almost 16 months later, visitors and locals are asking: where did the money all go? In the 2016 statement, the Minister of Antiquities Khaled Al-Anany said that the $US 40 million would be spent on constructing an information centre by the end of the year, administrative building, and toilet facilities; installing ‘high-tech’ security gates at the entrance; installing rubish bins throughout the Complex; and moving vendors to a designated area. Yet, in two separate visits to the Pyramids in January of this year, Egyptian Streets has found that the Pyramids Complex remains unsafe, unclean, and confusing.

(Egyptian Streets, "Giza Pyramids: Egyptian Heritage Turns Into National Embarrassment" January 14, 2018)

There is still no information center to provide visitors with any information or guidance, the ‘high-tech’ security gates are basic x-ray machines and metal detectors which are found across the country, but at the time of the journalists' visit were not working at all. The toilets allegedly constructed at the Pyramids are simply portable toilets that were found to be unclean. It was found that the rubbish bins were  scarce and unmaintained, with bags filled with garbage left next to the bins. Around the Complex, littering continues to be a problem. Visitors are intimidated, harassed and coerced by vendors:

Vendors and owners of camels continue to harass tourists throughout the Complex, with a group of individuals often awaiting tourists the moment they pass through the ‘high-tech’ security gates. While the Minister of Antiquities promised that vendors would only be allowed to engage with visitors at a designated area, this continues to be an unsolved issue. Egyptian Streets’ reporter was followed for more than 20 minutes by one vendor who simply refused the fact that the reporter was not purchasing any over-priced souvenirs from him. Meanwhile, in video captured by Egyptian Streets, a group of vendors were witnessed loudly arguing in the shadow of the Great Pyramid after one of the vendors ‘stole a customer away’. This behaviour attracted negative attention, and even involved physical violence, yet police simply stood by and watched.  

The fact that the Complex remains in shambles shows a lack of appreciation and respect for the world’s last remaining ancient wonder. Perhaps more importantly, where did the $US 40 million go and why has nothing changed for the better?