Grand Egyptian Museum Opens in Cairo, Reviving Tourism Hopes

Egypt has officially opened the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo, a project that has faced decades of delays and challenges. The museum, which cost approximately $1 billion, is poised to become a centerpiece of Egypt’s tourism revival strategy. At the opening ceremony, performers adorned in white tunics greeted dignitaries, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who remarked, “Today, as we celebrate together the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, we are writing a new chapter in the history of the present and the future.”

The GEM, located on a gentle slope overlooking the Giza Plateau, is expected to play a crucial role in boosting Egypt’s tourism sector, which has suffered from a series of setbacks over the years, including political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum will house tens of thousands of artifacts, with over 100,000 items in total, many of which date back more than six millennia.

A Spectacular Opening Ceremony

The opening event featured a dazzling display of light and music against the backdrop of the pyramids. Guests watched as performers in elaborate Pharaonic costumes played traditional tunes, accompanied by a stunning laser show and fireworks. President el-Sisi characterized the museum as “a living testimony to the genius of the Egyptian human, who built the pyramids and inscribed on the walls the story of immortality.”

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is the dream that all of us imagined. We all dreamed that this project would be realised.” The museum, which spans nearly half a million square meters, received significant financial and technical support from Japan, and most of its construction was completed in the last seven to eight years.

Features of the Grand Egyptian Museum

The GEM is designed to provide an immersive experience for visitors. It boasts expansive, light-filled halls and features like precision lighting, virtual-reality exhibits, and a dedicated children’s museum. A highlight is the live conservation lab, where visitors can observe restorers working on a 4,500-year-old solar boat, originally buried near the pyramid of Khufu.

Among its vast collection, the museum showcases over 5,000 artifacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, many of which are displayed together for the first time. The opening to the public is set for Wednesday, March 15, 2025, with expectations of attracting millions of visitors annually.

The Egyptian tourism sector, which is vital for generating foreign currency and employment, has been gradually recovering. In the first nine months of 2025, Egypt welcomed 15 million visitors, generating $12.5 billion in revenue, a 21% increase from the previous year. Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy anticipates total tourist arrivals will reach 18 million by the end of this year, with the GEM expected to draw an estimated five million visitors annually.

The GEM’s opening marks a significant milestone for Egypt, reflecting the nation’s efforts to revitalize its cultural heritage and tourism industry.