Hidden within the bustling modern city of Cairo lies one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities renowned for its historic mosques, madrasas (schools), hammams (public baths), wekalas (marketplaces), sabils (drinking fountains) and military buildings. Established in the 10th century CE by the Fatimid Dynasty, Historic Cairo emerged as the new centre of the Islamic world, flourishing particularly during its golden age in the 14th century.
Over the span of time, the historic city has become a unique open-air museum displaying an extraordinary blend of architectural, artistic, and urban heritage, reflecting its rich history and diverse cultural influences. Its mediaeval urban layout has been maintained and enhanced over the centuries, accommodating both its role as a political capital and its growing population.
Founded as the centre of the Fatimid Caliphate in 969 CE, the city evolved through various Islamic dynasties and by the time of Ottoman rule in the region it had become a major centre of the Islamic world. The richness of its architecture, culture, and society has attracted visitors and been documented by travellers and orientalists for centuries. The city preserves half of the surviving monuments from the Middle Ages.
Historic Cairo contains magnificent soaring masterpieces expressing rare artistic, aesthetic and architectural value, and it continues to preserve its vibrant urban atmosphere, forming an outstanding example of cohesive urban fabric. It displays the long coexistence of different cultures and human interaction with the environment, and it was registered on the UN cultural agency UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.
In an attempt to meet current global trends in the travel industry, with many tourists today now seeking immersive cultural experiences and meaningful interactions with local communities, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in collaboration with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has implemented the Integrated Management of Cultural Tourism (IMCT) Project to enhance cultural tourism in Egypt and focusing on Historic Cairo and Luxor. The project establishes a foundation for a sustainable cultural tourism management approach, strategically positioning Egypt for the future.
“The IMCT collaborates with the Government of Egypt at both national and regional levels to improve legislative and regulatory frameworks while developing public-private partnership (PPP) models to encourage private-sector investment in cultural tourism,” said Yomna Al-Bahar, deputy minister of tourism and antiquities, during an inspection tour held at the Al-Muayad Sheikh bimaristan (public hospital) in Historic Cairo.
She said that developing PPPs for heritage assets restoration and adaptive reuse and building the capacity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in cultural tourism development and promotion will support an increase in tourism revenues, benefiting local communities living around targeted sites.
The IMCT has hosted capacity-building workshops aimed at empowering local businesses, including MSMEs, as well as residents, particularly women and youth. These workshops focus on enhancing skills in crafts, communications, digital marketing, and storytelling. Additionally, the project is connecting local business owners with microfinance institutions to support the development of high-value tourism products and promote cultural tourism experiences.
“By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors and engaging local communities in enriching the traveller experience, the IMCT is playing a vital role in strengthening Egypt’s tourism industry. This initiative not only boosts local socioeconomic development but also aims to improve the quality of life for residents in Historic Cairo and the Luxor governorate,” Al-Bahar said.
US Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg expressed her delight to be in a prominent historic site in Cairo, highlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage as proof of Egypt’s enduring significance as the “Mother of the World”. She emphasised the shared responsibility to preserve this legacy for future generations and reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to supporting Egypt in protecting its cultural heritage.
She noted that USAID has provided extensive resources to restore and rehabilitate Egyptian archaeological sites, enhancing the country’s cultural and historical diversity. She also highlighted that Egypt was the first country to sign a bilateral cultural agreement with the US in 2016, and the celebration marked the continued partnership in preserving Historic Cairo.
This collaboration, alongside Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, has led to significant developments in the investment portfolio for the enhancement of archaeological sites in Egypt to promote cultural tourism, preserve Egyptian monuments, and facilitate their reuse and rehabilitation. It has also including clearing 40 tons of debris from the Al-Silahdar area and restoring the surrounding neighbourhood, now ready to welcome visitors. Notably, the majority of the workers involved in this project were women.