20/7/2025–|Last update: 09:00 (Mecca time)
Cairo- More than 20 years after the Arab tourist treated the Egyptian citizen in the fees for entering archaeological sites and museums, the Supreme Council of Antiquities decided Egypt The amendment of this policy, and the re -classification of visitors to treat the Arab tourist starting in January 2026 as a foreign tourist treatment in terms of ticket prices, in a move – according to the government – to enhance the financial sustainability of the archaeological sector.
In an official statement, the council clarified that the decision came to cancel what was stipulated in the meeting of the Board of Directors held on September 28, 2002, which was equal to the fees between Egyptian citizens and Arab tourists, noting that this step is based on the large differences in income levels, and that the new pricing system will include only two categories, “Egyptians” and “foreigners”, without exceptions.
The statement stressed that this amendment seeks to achieve a balance between the availability of archaeological sites of the public, and to ensure a financial sustainability that allows the development of services, improvement of facilities and maintaining the “unique” cultural heritage that Egypt abounds, which is one of the main pillars of its cultural identity and its global position.
A noticeable increase in the numbers of Arab tourists
The decision comes at a time when Egypt is witnessing a remarkable prosperity in the numbers of Arab tourists. The country received about 2.85 million Arab tourists during the year 2024, Saudi Arabia came in the forefront, followed by the UAE and Kuwait, and then Arab tourism constituted about 18% of the total number of tourists.
As for the first quarter of 2025, the number of tourists reached 3.9 million visitors, with an increase of 25% over the same period in the previous year, and the largest percentage of the Arab Gulf states was.
Egypt is working to double this number by the end of the year, as “tourist rooms” seek to attract 5 million Arab tourists, as part of a plan to maximize economic returns from the tourism sector.
The concerned authorities are involved in efforts to raise the number of direct flights with the Gulf states, and it is also working to facilitate the procedures for obtaining visas for citizens of the Maghreb countries, within the framework of a comprehensive plan to enhance the Arab tourism movement to Egypt.
Supporting the national economy
In a statement to Al -Jazeera Net, Mohamed Abdel -Latif, the former assistant minister of antiquities, believes that this decision was “right and came at an appropriate time,” explaining that it will benefit the national economy.
Abdul Latif believes that the dual pricing systems in tourist sites are in place in various countries of the world, and it is not considered discrimination but an economic policy aimed at a balance between encouraging tourism and raising the efficiency of returns.
He also stressed that the most important factor in attracting visitors is to improve the quality of the services provided, in terms of facilities, guidance and hygiene, adding that if a high -end tourism environment is available, the visitor will be accepted to experience even with a relative price rise.
For his part, the tour guide, Louay Ahmed, expressed his support for the decision, confirming in his statements to Al -Jazeera Net that he directly supports the National Income Authority, and said that “the Arab tourist was entering the Pyramids of Giza with a ticket that does not exceed 60 pounds ($ 1.2), while the foreign tourist pays 700 pounds (14.7 dollars) for the same experience, which is a great disparity that is not consistent with economic justice.”
Ahmed believes that the restructuring of pricing would support maintenance and development operations for archaeological sites, and enable the competent authorities to raise the level of services, noting that most Arab tourists belong to countries with a relatively high entry, and therefore the financial difference will not constitute a real burden on the visitor, especially if it is accompanied by tangible improvement in the visit experience.
Is the Arab presence declining?
On the other hand, some of those interested in archaeological affairs expressed their fear of the potential psychological influence of this decision on a group of Arab tourists, considering that the symbolic impression that the distinction in price leaves may weaken the enthusiasm of some visitors.
In this context, Bassam Al -Shamaa, the historian and international lecturer in Egyptology, stated that the decision “deserves urgent re -consideration”, considering in his talk to Al -Jazeera Net that the psychological impact of the Arab tourist should not be overlooked.
Al -Shamaa said that “there will justify the decision by a currency difference, such as the Kuwaiti dinar, which is equivalent to more than 160 Egyptian pounds ($ 3.2), but this does not cancel the fact that the Arab tourist may feel that dealing with it is no longer exceptional, which is sensitive in cultural and tourism relations.”
He added that re -classification of the Arab visitor within the category of “foreigners” may feel him with a kind of symbolic alienation, especially after he used to a moral concession that was expressing cultural and emotional proximity between Arabs and Egypt, noting that many Arab tourists have become visiting museums, temples and cemeteries, in various governorates, with passion and emotional link.
Pricing is not everything
Al -Shamaa explained that raising the price of the ticket may lead to a relative reluctance from some Arab visitors, inferring at the price of the large museum entry ticket, which amounts to 200 pounds for the Egyptian (4 dollars) for 1500 pounds (about 30 dollars) for the foreigner, noting that “the visitor not only pays the value of the ticket, but also spends on foods, drinks, gifts, and other services that generate important income on the sector.”
The Egyptian historian reviewed an example of the global reality, as he indicated that the British Museum, which includes about 7 million artifacts, allows access free of charge, but it depends on smart financing means, such as a glass model in the form of an open -donated pyramid, always full of the world’s currencies, along with gift stores that achieve great returns.
Al -Shamaa expressed his fear that the decision will present some Arab visitors to refrain from visiting archaeological sites, even if they possess the financial ability, and said: “Perhaps the tourist visits Egypt without entering its museums or temples, or prefer other countries that do not feel that symbolic distance.”
In his speech, he stressed the importance of preserving the emotional privacy that links the Arab tourist to Egypt, saying: “I call for a retreat from this decision, or at least give the Arab visitor a symbolic or practical advantage, because this reflects respect for the deep ties between Egypt and its Arab brothers.”