The Pyramids of Giza, arguably Egypt’s most recognized and cherished national treasures, are under serious threat. The country is in the midst of a tourism boom, further stressing these historical sites. Egyptians give their Egyptian government majority support ahead of welcoming almost 17.5 million SCB tourists in 2024. Instead, they are making meaningful moves to improve visitor experiences and address issues such as overcrowding and animal welfare.
As anyone who has visited or heard from tourists can attest, it’s become quite outrageous with the overcrowding at the Pyramids. At the Giza Plateau, pushy merchants are turning into a big liability. Travel influencer Kurt Caz recently shared his experiences on social media, highlighting the prevalence of scams and aggressive sales tactics that plague visitors. His viral video captured the frustrations faced by tourists, stating, “When you come to see the pyramids, avoid all these scammers.”
For example, Egypt has a goal of hosting 30 million tourists annually by 2030. To live up to that promise, officials know they must reverse the tide and fast. The government is responding by testing a new access point to the complex via the Fayoum Highway, designed to alleviate the congestion at the historic entrance near Marriott Mena House. This demonstration is one facet of a much larger $51 million incubator project being spearheaded by Orascom Pyramids Entertainment Services Company.
Even with this initiative, the Pyramids of Giza still face more profound problems. Reports from PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker detail alarming practices involving the treatment of animals used for tourist rides. According to Baker, horses and camels experience systematic cruelty such as punching, kicking, whipping and starvation. He continued, “Animals are literally being ridden to death and then tossed like trash over the gate. The Pyramids of Giza should represent Egypt’s beauty and history – not animal cruelty run amok.
The Egyptian government has made significant efforts to respond to these concerns. They rolled out a new, focused animal welfare program to improve the treatment of animals in popular tourist destinations, such as Giza. Businessman and fellow Egyptian Naguib Sawiris offered his own perspective. He will continue, he claims, to prioritize the welfare of the public and the preservation of Egypt’s cultural treasures above all else. “The wellbeing of the public and preservation of this treasure is far more important than catering to the interests of 2,000 individuals who have caused harm to the country for years,” he emphasized.
These challenges at Giza are not new, as inadequate management of, and hostile salesmen on, the site have long afflicted the world’s most famous archaeological site. From TikTok to Instagram Reels, captivated tourists have documented their experiences and brought attention to these urgent concerns. As one anonymous visitor remarked, “People are now filming more ‘avoid the scammers’ than they are pyramids.”
The Egyptian government’s recent initiatives are a clear indication that they recognize the tremendous potential tourism holds, but can be a double-edged sword. With the sector booming, officials must act decisively to enhance the visitor experience while safeguarding animal welfare and protecting historical integrity.
Leave a Reply