USAID Grant Restores Cultural Tourism in Egypt

The Karnak Temple Complex of Luxor, Egypt is among many of the monuments being conserved through the USAID partnership. (Flickr)

Having recently launched the “Workshop to Brand Historic Cairo,” The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to promote sustainable development in Egypt and preserve the country’s heritage. On February 3, USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed traveled to Luxor to discuss the campaign’s plan to conserve the country’s historic sites and develop the tourism sector’s role in Egypt’s economic development. In the location of many of Egypt’s surviving ancient monuments, Reed met with government representatives and local partner organizations.

Since the 1990s, USAID has provided over $100 million in assistance for the preservation of Egypt’s Pharaonic and Ottoman monuments. The recent campaign aims to preserve ‘Historic Cairo’ in particular– the Luxor neighborhood which was once home to the pharaoh's capital and is currently an important heritage site for Egyptian civilization. Within Luxor, the USAID partnership seeks to restore the Karnak Temple, Medinet Habu, and Tombs of the Nobles. These restorations will involve an engineering project to reduce rising groundwater. 

The campaign will also assist with the development of marketing concepts for cultural tourism and is projected to inject billions of dollars into the Egyptian economy. USAID plans to train Egyptian archeologists, engineers, and local partners, including the Takween Integrated Community Development, in its efforts to revive the tourism industry.

Empowering local organizations will reduce Egypt’s dependence on foreign aid. In addition to promoting a sustainable economy, the new partnership will revitalize Egypt’s arts, culture, and heritage.