– The Minister of Tourism congratulates the Egyptian archaeologists and restorers on their holiday …and extends his thanks to them for their great efforts and their honorable role in preserving Egypt’s antiquities… He emphasizes that improving the job conditions for employees of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is the ministry’s top priority, in accordance with available resources.
The success that Egypt has achieved in the tourism sector despite the current geopolitical events came thanks to the support of the political leadership for the sector and the efforts of workers in the ministry and the private tourism sector
– Work at the Grand Egyptian Museum is underway in preparation for its official opening Soon
In an atmosphere characterized by joy and joy, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities celebrated A feast for Egyptian archaeologists in an evening witnessed by the Grand Theater of the Cairo Opera House, which was initiated by Mr. Sherif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, with a speech during which he welcomed the former Ministers of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Khaled Al-Anani, candidate for the position of Director General of UNESCO, Dr. Zahi Hawass, Dr. Mamdouh El-Damaty, and Deputy Dr. Mahmoud Muslim, Chairman of the Culture and Tourism Committee. Antiquities and media in the House of Representatives, ministry leaders, Egyptian and foreign university professors, directors of foreign antiquities institutes in Cairo, and archaeologists with Eid today and to all those present, expressing his happiness at his presence today for the first time since he assumed the position of Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, with this gathering of Egyptian archaeologists and restorers to celebrate the Egyptian Archaeologists’ Day this year, offering them congratulations on this occasion, and thanks and appreciation for their great effort and work sincerely to preserve on Egypt’s antiquities, stressing that their dedication to their arduous mission is what preserves our great history.
The Minister stressed that the Ministry is putting in place improvement The job conditions of its employees are its top priority, as it spares no effort to achieve it according to the resources available to it, as this year witnessed some measures in this context, and more will be achieved in the near future.
The Minister also spoke about the developments that Egypt is witnessing. In the tourism sector, which is closely linked to the antiquities sector, Egypt would not have received 15.7 million tourists during the year 2024 without this momentum of unique antiquities. Egyptian antiquities represent a great part of Product Cultural tourism in the Egyptian tourist destination.
Mr. Sherif Fathi pointed out that this achievement achieved by Egypt in the tourism sector could not have been achieved without The great support that the Egyptian state gives to the tourism and antiquities sectors and the wisdom of the political leadership in achieving this political stability that exists in Egypt, which encouraged tourists to visit Egypt.
He also pointed to the great interest and support given by His Excellency the Prime Minister and the Ministerial Committee for Investment Promotion. Tourism in Egypt, in a way that reduces bureaucracy and works on coordination between ministries among themselves.
He also appreciated that achieving this record was also the result of the tireless efforts of employees of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the private tourism sector in Egypt, in addition to the efforts of his fellow former ministers.
The Minister spoke about how improving the tourist experience at Egyptian tourist destinations, especially archaeological sites, is one of the Ministry’s priorities, pointing to what has been achieved in the archaeological area of the Giza Pyramids in terms of developing and raising efficiency. The tourist services provided there, pointing out that the month of February will witness the completion of these services and the provision of what the visitor deserves from a distinguished tourist experience there.
He also pointed out the services that were provided. Technology in archaeological sites and museums within the framework of the Ministry’s strategy for digital transformation, including augmented reality technology for some artifacts in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, stressing that the coming period will witness more provision of such services that use modern technological means.
During his speech, the Minister expressed his happiness with the antiquities being discovered across the Republic, which helps reveal more about the history of ancient Egyptian civilization, including the recent discovery made by the Egyptian Archaeological Mission. Headed by Dr. Zahi Hawass in Luxor, stressing his full confidence in Egyptian archaeologists to uncover more, especially since Egypt is full of antiquities from different time periods.
Regarding the file of retrieving antiquities, the Minister noted that Egypt is working with all its efforts to demand the recovery of antiquities that were recovered. They came out of it illegally, and Egypt was able to recover many of them during the past period.
The Minister described the Grand Egyptian Museum as a great edifice that deserves all our pride, stressing the attention the Egyptian state gives to this museum. Pointing out that full preparations are underway for its official opening.
At the end of his speech, Mr. Sherif Fathi expressed his hopes for achieving more achievements in the tourism and antiquities sectors, thanking Dr. Lamia Zayed, President of the Egyptian Opera House, for the efforts that have been made. With her work team and her keenness to make this evening a success, he also thanked everyone who contributed to its proper conduct, and his fellow former ministers, stressing that any success is being achieved now. It is a collective effort and the result of accumulated achievements.
Mr. Sherif Fathi was keen to honor a number of symbols of archaeological work among the employees of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, including archaeologists, restorers, engineers, administrators, and excavation workers And experts, as well as professors of antiquities at Egyptian universities.
The minister was also keen to give a special honor and extend many thanks and appreciation to Dr. Khaled Al-Anani, the former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and candidate for the position of Director General of UNESCO, for his efforts that he made during his tenure as the Ministry of Antiquities and then the Ministry of Tourism. And antiquities, which were highlighted by many achievements in the tourism and antiquities sectors, wishing him, on behalf of His Excellency and all the employees of the Ministry, success in what is to come.
For his part, Dr. Khaled Al-Anani thanked Minister Sherif Fathi for honoring him, wishing him continued success in leading the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. He also thanked the Ministry’s employees for their constant support and hard work over the six and a half years of his tenure as the Ministry.
In his speech, Delivered last evening, Dr. Muhammad Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, reviewed the Council’s achievements over the past year in the field of archaeological work, as it witnessed many important archaeological discoveries and antiquities restoration works in the field of Museums, museum stores, and electronic registration of all archaeological pieces, in addition to the efforts made to raise the efficiency of services provided to visitors in museums and archaeological sites, in addition to implementing the electronic reservation system for tickets and digital portals for many archaeological sites and museums in various parts of the Republic.
The Secretary-General stressed To the Supreme Council of Antiquities for the efforts made by the Supreme Council of Antiquities to support its employees, improve their employment and financial conditions, and solve their outstanding problems in light of the available financial resources, He described them as the cornerstone of all the successes achieved by the Council in the field of archaeological work.
He also reviewed the measures that were taken during the past year to develop the work of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, where the organizational administrative structure was partially activated, and work is currently being done to activate it completely. And the announcement of filling leadership positions, more than 5,000 employees were promoted, and the incentive bonus for more than 3,000 employees was approved, in addition to the 5% incentive For more than 2,000 employees.
He also pointed out the Council’s keenness to provide its employees with more practical and international experience, as many restorers and archaeologists participated in accompanying archaeological exhibitions held abroad, and personal tests are being conducted for more than 950 archaeologists from the Islamic antiquities sector. Within the coming weeks, archaeologists from the Egyptian antiquities sector will be tested to accompany external exhibitions, and the results of the exhibitions will be announced immediately upon completion.
He indicated that an increase has been approved for accompanying foreign missions and increasing the daily wage values for workers on a wage for work equal to their counterparts appointed to financial grades.
The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities added that yesterday the Council received the approval of the Central Agency for Organization and Administration to amend the contractual form for the Council’s temporary contractual staff. Chapter Six and the workers, a wage clause for the work of (Al-Saraki), transferred to Chapter One, wages, in preparation for their confirmation on permanent financial grades in the Council’s budget.
He also extended his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Tourism. And Antiquities Mr. Sherif Fathi, due to his keenness to preserve the antiquities and the rights of the Council’s employees, issued a decision to form a committee from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and representatives of the Ministry of Finance to study the entitlements of the employees of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
At the end of his speech, he thanked the attendees and expressed his sincere appreciation to the colleagues for your efforts. In their work, he wished them continued success and progress, stressing his confidence in the combined efforts of all efforts for the success, development and advancement of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass also gave a speech. During the celebration, he referred to the efforts that have been made to train the human element since he assumed the position of Secretary-General of the Antiquities Council in 2002, pointing to the idea of choosing January 14 as a holiday for archaeologists, expressing his wish that archaeologists celebrate themselves as they are an integral part of archaeological discoveries and works. Restoration carried out with antiquities and preservation of Egypt’s cultural heritage.
He pointed out that the amount of the Zahi Hawass Award this year has increased compared to last year. And the best restorer, pointing out that the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage will support this award annually during every holiday for archaeologists throughout their lives.
After the completion of the honoring activities, the evening’s segments began, which included singing segments by the Arab music band, whose performer created a bouquet of the most beautiful Egyptian songs by major Egyptian artists.
Professor Youmny Al-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim participated in the audience. The CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum, Dr. Al-Tayeb Abbas, the CEO of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and Mr. Ahmed Obaid, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and Permanent Undersecretary Dr. Nashwa Jaber, Executive Vice President of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Ambassador Khaled Tharwat, Advisor to the Minister for International Relations and General Supervisor of the General Administration of International Relations and Agreements in the Ministry, Professor Mohamed Amer, Director of the Central Administration for Hotel Establishments, Shops, and Marine Activities, Dr. Gamal Mustafa, Head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector, and Dr. Hisham. Al-Laithi, Head of the Antiquities Preservation and Recording Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Professor Mohamed Abdel Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, and Dr. Elham Fouda. Director General of the Ministry’s General Administration of Political Communication and Parliamentary Affairs. Dr. Mustafa Waziri, former Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, also attended the evening.
