Pyramids Scheme: Egypt Tries to End Tourist Chaos
For years, tourists have reported poor experiences due to mismanagement of the world's most famous historic site
Egypt is taking steps to bring order to the tourist-heavy area surrounding the Pyramids of Giza, aiming to end years of chaos, unregulated vendors and poor visitor experiences.
Why It Matters
For decades, one of the world's most iconic heritage sites has suffered from mismanagement, aggressive touts, and inconsistent regulation—tarnishing Egypt's image and frustrating millions of visitors.
What To Know
The Egyptian government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to transform the Giza Plateau—home to the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and other ancient wonders—into a more organized, tourist-friendly destination. This week, authorities launched a trial run of a newly revamped access point to the site, replacing the historic but congested entrance, which has long been plagued by traffic and massive queues. The new entryway is located on the Cairo-Fayoum Road. The test-run faced early friction. Several tour groups and horse and camel handlers blocked bus traffic, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported. These groups, reportedly protesting their relocation to newly designated zones, have long drawn complaints from tourists over harassment and alleged extortion, prompting the government to tighten regulations. The Giza Pyramids development project is being implemented by Orascom Pyramids Entertainment (OPE) at a cost of nearly $51 million, announced in December 2024, according to state-owned Ahram Online. OPE is a subsidiary of Orascom Investment Holding, a diversified conglomerate owned by Egypt's billionaire Sawiris family, whose business interests span telecoms, tourism, and infrastructure. The pyramids draw millions of visitors each year. Egypt recorded a record-breaking 15.7 million tourists in 2024, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said, as reported by Ahram Online. Officials hope that an upgraded, hassle-free experience at the pyramids will further boost tourism after years of setbacks from political turmoil and the pandemic. Key improvements include the restoration of several tombs, a shift to eco-friendly transport within the site, and the introduction of online ticketing. A newly opened visitor center offers a detailed overview of the site, including a short film narrated by Hollywood actor Kevin Costner, according to Giza Plateau Director Ashraf Mohie El-Din.
What People Are Saying
Egyptian Businessman Naguib Sawiris on X: "The solution lies in removing camels and livestock from the archaeological area to preserve the pyramids and protect the reputation of tourism."Director of the Giza Plateau Ashraf Mohie El-Din: "The Giza Plateau is the most important tourist destination for all people. This is why there's an ongoing development project, a full-scale development project for the archaeological area. It started in 2009 and was planned to be completed in 2012 but was halted due to political events. The project resumed in 2016 and it's now a hundred percent complete and is in trial operation."
What Happens Next
The newly renovated Giza Plateau is set to be officially inaugurated alongside the opening of the adjacent new Egyptian Grand Museum on July 3, 2025 in a grand event expected to draw wide international attention.
