Egypt wants the world to keep marvelling at the pyramids for many more generations, but it knows that the tourist overcrowding they are experiencing puts their most precious jewel at risk: the Giza Necropolis. With nearly 17.5 million tourists in 2024 and the ambitious goal of reaching 30 million by 2030, the country has decided to act.
Egypt is one of the favourite destinations for tourists, but just like some places in Europe or Asia, it has started to become excessively crowded, making the situation practically unbearable for the locals.
So, the country has launched a plan that reorganizes access points, introduces eco-friendly transport, eradicates bad commercial practices, and promotes animal welfare so that the tourist experience does not pollute or cause discomfort to other citizens, being fully aware that tourism generates, on average, 10% of the country’s GDP with 6.6 billion dollars.
What is there in Egypt?
Egypt is one of the most magical places on Earth, it has something very few places can match, it has a connection to the oldest history of humanity. It mixes history and conspiracy theories with its pyramids of Giza and the temple of Luxor, it has a living culture in its markets, it has the Nile, and most importantly, its residents enjoy a hospitality that is found in very few places in the world. In Egypt, the old and the new come together, the magic of the desert with imposing architecture… It is normal that everyone wants to travel to this country.
Giza: the big tourist attraction
A wonder of the ancient world, it remains the main attraction for anyone setting foot in Egypt, but, as it is trendy, its surroundings have become even more chaotic than the country itself: guides, tourist cars, tour operators, street vendors… making the experience of observing this stunning scene something uncomfortable for other tourists.
What is the Government proposing?
A reorganization plan to end the chaos, they want to establish a new access point on the Cairo-Fayum road, reorganize the surroundings, restore the tombs, boost online sales, and promote eco-friendly transport.
Orascom Pyramids is one of the key figures in this change, investing millions of dollars to transform this area and turn it into a true tourist landmark, keeping in mind that this pyramid is the last wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The complaints were already impossible to ignore
On social media, criticisms abounded. Tourists feeling harassed by resellers, experiences ruined by scams, and a general sense of chaos in key areas like Cairo. Not long ago, in a viral Reddit thread about places people would not return to, a traveller directly cited the Egyptian capital: “The pyramids are beautiful, but the scammers ruin the experience.”
And that discomfort is no longer just an anecdote. Platforms like TikTok amplify visitors’ bad experiences, and bad reviews are starting to impact the destination’s reputation. Something that, in the middle of the global tourism recovery, Egypt cannot afford.
The treatment of animals under scrutiny
Another big pending issue was the treatment of animals used for tourist rides. Horses, donkeys, and camels were offered to tourists in conditions that have drawn harsh criticism. Organizations like PETA have been denouncing it for years: malnourished, injured, and mistreated animals treated like tools.
But something is starting to change. The Egyptian government launched a specific animal welfare program last fall in the main tourist spots, including Giza, and now it is betting on electric buses inside the necropolis. This offers a comfortable and sustainable alternative to animal rides.
The facelift of the Giza plateau is much more than a cosmetic operation. Egypt has understood that, in the era of social media, every bad experience multiplies and can cost millions in tourism losses. Modernizing access, ending bad practices, and protecting animals is not just an ethical issue: it is a matter of survival as a top-tier tourist destination.