Introduction
After two decades of construction and an investment of one billion dollars, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is on the cusp of welcoming visitors. Described as the “largest museum in the world dedicated to one civilization,” the GEM is poised to become a leading hub for archaeological and historical research. Situated strategically between Cairo and the Great Pyramid of Giza, the museum boasts a vast 120-acre footprint and will house a staggering 100,000 artefacts. Around 20% of these artefacts will be on public display for the first time, showcased across 12 exhibition halls occupying a colossal 484,000 square feet of floor space.
A Treasure Trove of History
Among the historical treasures that will find their home in the GEM are the legendary Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus and the 5,000 artefacts uncovered in his tomb in 1922. Visitors will also have the chance to marvel at a 30-foot-tall, 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses the Great and the Khufu ship, a fully intact solar barge that was buried next to the Great Pyramid in 2500 BC.
Architectural Marvel
The GEM’s impressive structure was designed by the Irish architectural firm Henghan Peng, whose vision won a competition in 2003. However, the museum’s construction journey was marked by numerous setbacks, including the 2018 financial crisis, the 2011 Arab Spring, and the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nearing Completion
As of March 2022, a report by Building Design + Construction stated that the museum was “99% complete,” with the final 1% encompassing finishing touches and logistical preparations for the official opening, originally planned for November 2022. Although an official inauguration date has not been confirmed, there are murmurs of a late 2023 launch, according to Architectural Digest.
Tourism Ambitions
The forthcoming GEM opening aligns with Egypt’s ambitions to double its tourism numbers over the next five years, aiming for 30 million visitors by 2028. Despite regional conflicts, such as the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian tourism has remained relatively resilient, with the country’s tourism minister reporting that less than 10% of tourist bookings were affected.
However, in a conflicting report, some tour operators have witnessed an 80% decrease in bookings for Egyptian Red Sea resorts. While travel to Egypt is still considered safe by some governments, the U.S. Department of State issued an advisory in July 2023, urging Americans to refrain from traveling to Egypt due to concerns related to terrorist attacks and the prevalence of military zones.
Conclusion
The Grand Egyptian Museum’s impending opening is a momentous event for Egypt and the world, promising to showcase the country’s rich history and cultural heritage on an unprecedented scale. As Egypt looks to boost its tourism industry, the GEM is expected to play a pivotal role in attracting visitors from around the globe, although challenges persist on the security front that will need to be addressed for tourism to flourish.
Feature Image: 04 August 2019, Egypt, Giza: Workers clean the area next to a giant statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II in hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza outside Cairo. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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