Minister of State for Antiquities Zahi Hawass travelled today to the United States to promote tourism to Egypt. Hawass will make a tour of five states, delivering lectures as part of the framework of cooperation between both countries’ ministries of state for antiquities and tourism. The ministries hope to promote tourism to Egypt and regain the number of tourists that once flocked to the country to admire its old civilisations and enjoy its sun and sand.

It is no secret that tourism is one of Egypt’s main sources of national income, some of which is used for several archaeological projects and building new museums. It also increases the living standard of those people who work in the tourism field such as hotels, cafeterias, restaurants and bazaars’ owners.

Hawass told Ahram Online before his departure to the States that he will explain to the whole world that Egyptian youths were the ones that protected the Egyptian museum during chaotic night of 28 January. He will also argue that the one million tourists who were in Egypt during the revolution returned safe and sound to their countries.

The antiquities minister also stated that in collaboration with Minister of Tourism Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, a scheduled cooperation programme will be organised between both ministries in several international countries in order to promote tourism to Egypt.

In mid July, Hawass is to travel to Brussels to give his first multimedia lecture. “I am looking forward to talking about the latest archaeological research in Egypt and the future work to protect our ancient monuments,” Hawass said.

“We will be promoting tourism in Egypt, both for the sake of our economy and for the benefit of our ancient monuments,” said Hawass. He added that: “We need visitors to return to this country, because without them the funds that we use to maintain our sites and museums will disappear, and Egypt’s economy will continue to suffer.”