The Giza Plateau, home to the world’s iconic Pyramids, is registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and has long been a testament to Egypt’s ancient grandeur.
Today, in a bold effort to reimagine this historic landmark for the 21st century, the Egyptian government, represented by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in partnership with Orascom Pyramids Entertainment (OPE), has launched the pilot phase of the Giza Plateau Facilities Development Project, which is designed to improve and streamline the visitor experience.
However, as the revamped site welcomed visitors for the first time earlier this month, a wave of criticism from tour guides, camel and horse owners, and local vendors underscored the complex challenge of balancing modernisation with the preservation of traditional livelihoods.
The Project, valued at almost LE1 billion, is designed to modernise and streamline the experience of millions of visitors who flock to the site each year. Among the most notable changes is the introduction of a new visitor entrance located on the Cairo-Fayoum Highway, replacing the traditional entrance near the Mena House Hotel. This location has long faced challenges related to congestion, environmental concerns, elevated noise levels, and security issues that have impacted the overall visitor experience.
The plan also includes a more than 1,200 vehicle parking plot and a visitor centre where visitors to the Plateau can view an engaging introduction to the rich history of the site, highlighting its three majestic royal Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view replicas of artifacts believed to have been used in the construction of the Pyramids, along with a collection of memorabilia that brings their era to life.
Electric vehicle (EV) shuttles for eco-friendly transportation are provided around the seven stations on the site, which is fitted with parking lots and services for visitors including an information office, shaded seats, food and beverage outlets, bazaars and ATMs. Improved ticketing systems, designated service zones for vendors and horse and camel owners, and new visitor facilities such as rest areas, restaurants, and museums are also provided.
The project is a cornerstone of Egypt’s broader strategy to revamp its tourism sector, attracting more visitors while preserving the country’s rich heritage. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the initiative is part of a long-term vision to place Egypt at the forefront of global cultural tourism.
However, what was intended to be a landmark day for tourism in Egypt was marred by unexpected criticism. The first day of the trial was not without friction. At noon, camel and horse owners and ride operators, many of whom have worked at the Pyramids for generations, made their objections known.
They left their scheduled location and blocked tourist buses from passing along the visiting path for 12 minutes, expressing deep concerns over being relocated to designated parking and service zones far from the main tourist path.
Many of these workers fear the changes will deprive them of direct access to tourists, thus threatening their livelihoods. The protest quickly went viral on social media, with videos showing angry confrontations and blocked roads drawing widespread attention and criticism from both Egyptian and international observers.
“We were excluded from the planning process, and the newly introduced regulations jeopardise our primary, and in many cases, sole source of income,” said Ahmed Ali, owner of a camel and a horse on the plateau.
“This is our home and our livelihood. No one consulted us,” said Hassan Khalil, a horse carriage operator who believes that “now they want to replace us with buses, as if we don’t exist.”
Their grievances reflect a broader sentiment of exclusion, with some accusing the government and OPE of pushing modernisation at the expense of the people who have long been part of the site’s living heritage.
SUPPORT: Businessman Naguib Sawiris, chair and CEO of Orascom Investment Holding, voiced strong support for the pilot operation of the Giza Plateau Facilities Development Project, while sharply criticising the horse and camel ride operators who disrupted activities on the first day.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sawiris stressed that the public interest and the preservation of this historic site must take precedence over the objections of approximately 2,000 individuals who, in his view, have caused disruption by refusing to relocate to their newly designated service areas.
He warned that if these operators continue to obstruct the path of the electric shuttle buses and negatively affect the visitor experience, they should be barred from the site altogether in order to safeguard its archaeological integrity.
Sawiris further highlighted the environmental and logistical issues caused by the continued presence of animals in unrestricted areas, including pollution and blocked pathways. He called for firm and decisive action to ensure that the Giza Plateau remains accessible, orderly, and preserved for the benefit of both tourism and Egypt’s cultural heritage.
Amr Gazarin, CEO of OPE, has deployed over 45 buses to facilitate visitor transportation. These operate at three-minute intervals, exceeding the originally planned frequency of five minutes. The enhanced system has demonstrated its efficiency in delivering a smooth, comfortable, and well-organised transit experience for guests.
Gazarin said the project also centres on relocating animal handlers to a designated “Equestrian Zone” as part of a state-mandated initiative. This area, now integrated as one of seven main stations within the transport network, aims to streamline and regulate camel and horse riding experiences for visitors, while maintaining an uninterrupted flow across the archaeological site.
According to a press release issued by OPE, in response to pressure from animal and camel owners, the company had received instructions on 7 April from the governorate to alter the previously agreed-upon route that had been in place since the start of the project.
The proposed temporary solution involved reverting to the old pathways while avoiding the use of the asphalt road. Despite the company’s repeated warnings that such a change could disrupt operations if not strictly adhered to, the anticipated issues unfortunately materialised. At approximately 11am on the day it opened, a group of animal owners blocked the road without decisive intervention from the security forces.
This obstruction was repeated in several locations, resulting in a complete halt of bus movements and a disruption of the transportation system.
Company employees were subjected to verbal abuse, and attempts were made to vandalise the vehicles used to transport staff on the plateau, again in full view of the authorities and without firm action being taken, the statement said.
Some tour guides have expressed objections to the trial operation of the project, citing challenges that have hindered their ability to deliver smooth and efficient tours. A primary point of criticism is the limited number of electric shuttle buses, which has resulted in overcrowding and disorganised transportation across the site, they said.
Many guides also reported difficulties navigating the newly introduced visitor routes, and the 12,000 visitors on the first day were left without buses on the site's paved roads.
The trouble led to mounting frustration among both guides and visitors, with some tour guides turning to social media to share videos and first-hand accounts of the disorder during the trial phase.
“We had previously warned that implementing such a system without thorough planning could result in conflicts stemming from cultural differences, and regrettably those concerns have now become true,” said tour guide Hoda Radi.
She went on to explain that tourists are now required to disembark from their private vehicles, stand in lengthy queues, and board the newly introduced shuttle buses alongside mixed groups that include both local and international visitors of different nationalities.
“How are we expected to guide our clients under these conditions,” Radi asked. “The buses are crowded with multiple tour groups, each guide speaking a different language. It creates confusion and makes it nearly impossible to deliver a meaningful experience.”
Radi said that the newly implemented bus routes and stopping points were not enjoyable for tourists, as they were sitting on a bus with their backs to a window, which blocked their view of the area and the monuments it houses. It has also made access to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only surviving Wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, unnecessarily difficult.
“There appears to have been no consideration for the physical strain placed on visitors, many of whom are now required to walk long distances under the harsh sun, without adequate shade or shelter, carrying their personal items due to lack of secure vehicle access,” Radi said.
REPORTS
An Egyptian visitor who was on site and spoke under condition of anonymity told Al-Ahram Weekly that an Egyptian youth had reportedly harassed a veiled Muslim tourist from Malaysia.
When confronted by her tour guide, he fled the scene. The guide attempted to report the incident, only to have it passed among officers and have to repeat the account multiple times in front of a group of 19 Malaysian tourists. The outcome had been a ruined visit, wasted time, and damage to Egypt’s reputation as a tourist destination, all the result of poorly executed decisions under the guise of development, the visitor said.
The tourist in question documented the incident on video, which is now in the hands of the relevant authorities and posted a part of it on social media.
Hossam Attia, a tour guide with a group of French tourists who visited the plateau on the second day of the pilot operation, praised the project on site. He told the Weekly that the services at the site had been improved with a luxurious visitor centre, decent toilets, and other services.
“We visited the panorama area as well as the first and second pyramid and I did not stay long waiting for the electric shuttle bus. It took us only three minutes,” Attia said.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi continues his daily oversight of visitor operations at the Giza Pyramids as part of the trial phase of the project. According to official reports submitted to the minister from the ministry’s on-site team, the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), and OPE, the trial phase has proceeded smoothly, with organised visitor flow and consistent transport operations across designated shuttle routes except for the few minutes of the objections of horse and camel owners on the first day of the pilot operation.
Since the project launch on 8 April, the Giza Plateau has welcomed a growing number of guests, reaching 12,000 visitors on the first day alone, representing a 120 per cent increase over the daily average, followed by 14,000 and then 15,000 visitors on subsequent days, showing a consistent upward trend and a 68 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, has been on site since the trial began to monitor its implementation in real time. He confirmed that measures are being taken to ensure service quality and responsiveness to challenges. Among these are granting access to large group tours of more than 35 individuals, as well as express tour groups, which are allowed to enter the archaeological area using their buses.
Additionally, all antiquities inspectors assigned to the Giza Plateau have been strategically positioned across the archaeological zones and transport stations to monitor shuttle movement, ensure compliance with designated routes, and oversee smooth boarding and disembarkation at each stop.
To improve access and reduce waiting times, two self-service ticket machines have been installed at the new gate on the Cairo-Fayoum Highway, allowing visitors to purchase entry tickets directly. Coordination among all relevant government entities is ongoing to ensure the project's operational success and address feedback from tour operators and on-site staff.
Fathi has asked OPE to deploy additional electric shuttles with expanded capacity of 50 seats per vehicle, the installation of seat belts, and the temporary use of diesel buses pending full delivery of the electric fleet. He emphasised that the ministry remains fully committed to delivering a comfortable, accessible, and memorable experience for both domestic and international visitors.
“The goal of this trial phase is to assess performance on the ground, learn from real-time insights, and refine the system to ensure long-term success. We are building on the positives while addressing any gaps proactively,” he stated.
“The argument that electric buses will reduce pollution and preserve the site’s integrity has lost credibility,” said Radi in a video she launched on social media, however.
Nader Al-Beblawi, chairman of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA), emphasised his personal commitment to overseeing the flow of visitors at the Giza Pyramids site and ensuring smooth access and movement through the newly established routes introduced as part of the ongoing development project. His presence also aimed to closely monitor the activities of travel agencies affiliated with the chamber, verify the effective implementation of their tour programmes, and ensure there were no complaints from companies or their staff.
Al-Beblawi commended the efforts of the House of Representatives Tourism and Aviation Committee, led by MP Nora Ali, for conducting an on-site visit to assess the current situation and ensure the seamless movement of tourists within the area. The committee also recorded several key observations regarding the development plan, which are set to be reviewed in the near future.
He further noted that the visitor experience at the Giza Pyramids has remained smooth and well-organised for the second consecutive day, with a continued rise in tourist numbers. He acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Tourism Police, and OPE in promptly addressing any challenges and ensuring a comfortable and efficient experience for all visitors.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The Tourism and Civil Aviation Committee followed up its visit by convening a high-level meeting this week to assess the ongoing trial operation of the project. It emphasised the site’s historical and tourism importance and reviewed efforts to modernise services and infrastructure. The session brought together representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Giza governorate, the OPE, the ETAA, the General Syndicate of Tourist Guides, and a group of tourism experts.
Key recommendations included easing traffic congestion, improving visitor transport and accessibility, organising vendors, training site workers, and ensuring fair pricing for services. The committee also called for better coordination among tourism bodies and the faster implementation of reforms to enhance the overall tourist experience. The initiative aims to make visits to the Giza Plateau smoother, more enjoyable, and worthy of Egypt’s iconic status on the global tourism map.
The committee emphasised the need to complete the planning and organisation of the roads leading to the Pyramids to alleviate traffic congestion and prevent overcrowding for visitors heading to the archaeological site. In addition, a joint oversight committee comprising representatives from the ministries of tourism and antiquities, local development, and the Chamber of Tourism Companies was proposed to monitor the project’s implementation every month.
To ensure smooth coordination on the ground, the committee called for urgent meetings between the Tourist Guides Syndicate, the Chamber of Tourism Companies, and Orascom, under the supervision of the Ministry of Antiquities. These meetings would aim to address operational challenges and streamline the movement of tourists within the site.
Another key recommendation was to request that the Ministry of Finance facilitate customs procedures for importing environmentally friendly electric buses, which would be suitable for operation in the archaeological zone after its development. The committee also urged the acceleration of developing a designated and properly equipped area for horse and carriage operators, ensuring it includes adequate sanitary facilities.
The allocation of a dedicated and organised vendor space at the Panorama Station at the site was also highlighted. This area should allow vendors to display their products in a culturally appropriate and visually appealing manner while providing them with necessary amenities and access to restrooms.
To elevate the standard of services offered at the site, the committee recommended launching training and awareness programmes for all staff working in the tourist area. These programmes would focus on proper conduct when dealing with visitors. Particular attention would be directed at animal handlers, who must commit to maintaining professional behaviour. Violators would face penalties, including license revocation and removal from the site.
The Giza governorate was also encouraged to enforce standardised pricing for animal rides to prevent the exploitation of tourists. Furthermore, the committee urged the swift implementation of accessibility infrastructure in compliance with the code for people with disabilities, which would facilitate their use of vehicles and buses within the site.
The committee called for a reassessment of restroom fees, recommending electronic payment options if necessary. It also stressed the importance of encouraging tourism companies to promote advanced ticket purchases through electronic platforms to avoid congestion at ticket windows.
Finally, it recommended increasing the number of air-conditioned electric golf carts available to visitors and revisiting the current pricing for private transport services, which it described as excessively high.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli held a high-level meeting with all stakeholders and ministries involved in the project on the Giza Plateau to discuss the situation of the pilot operation of services on the plateau.
He emphasised the national importance of the development work currently underway at the Giza Pyramids archaeological area and the adjacent Nazlet Al-Samman district, underscoring the exceptional historical and archaeological value of the plateau and noting that it must remain a constant focus of government attention.
Madbouli said that the area, home to some of the world’s most iconic monuments, deserves the highest standard of service for both international tourists and Egyptian visitors. He stressed that improving the visitor experience must be aligned with the site's cultural and historical significance.
He called on all relevant ministries and stakeholders to intensify their coordination and strictly adhere to the pre-established plan for the trial operation of the development project. He stressed that the success of this would hinge on offering a seamless, accessible, and enjoyable experience for all visitors in a way that reflects Egypt’s civilisational heritage and strengthens its global tourism appeal.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 17 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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