ADVERTISEMENTMillions of visitors travel to Egypt each year to see the iconic Pyramids of Giza.
Despite being one of the world’s most famous ancient sites, the experience leaves many travellers with unpleasant memories.
For years, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has been plagued by poor management, unregulated and aggressive vendors, and reports of animal cruelty.
Now, Egypt is taking steps to clean up the Pyramids of Giza - but the revamp has got off to a rocky start.
Vendors protest relocation to new zones
Experiences of overcrowding and persistent tour touters have tarnished many tourists’ experiences of the Giza Plateau - home to several pyramids and the Great Sphinx.
The Egyptian government’s newly unveiled plan aims to relaunch the site with improved management and regulations.
The project, led by Orascom Pyramids Entertainment Services Company, is reportedly set to cost $51 million (€45 million).
This week, a new access point to the complex on the Fayoum Highway was tested, replacing the historic entrance near Marriott Mena House, which frequently suffers from traffic jams and congestion.
But the trial run faced pushback from horse and camel tour operators, who blocked vehicles from entering in a protest against their relocation to new designated parking areas.
They say these are too far from the entrance and will damage business. The vendors have long been accused of harassment and alleged extortion by visitors.
Businessman Naguib Sawiris, the founder of Orascom Telecom Holding and Orascom Investment Holding, wrote on X that sellers who refuse to move to the new zone area would be banned.
“The well-being of the public and preservation of this treasure is far more important than catering to the interests of 2,000 individuals who have caused harm to the country for years,” he posted.
Pyramids of Giza adopt electric vehicles
The new measures also prohibit private vehicles and tour buses from entering the plateau, instead providing visitors and their guides with eco-friendly electric vehicles to get around the site.
While the transition aims to improve the sustainability of the complex, some visitors have complained on social media about the availability of the vehicles, saying they’ve been forced to wait or walk in the heat.
Orascom issued a statement in response, stating that 45 electric buses had been made available on the site and are scheduled to run every five minutes.
ADVERTISEMENTThe revamp will also see several tombs restored, the introduction of online ticketing and a new visitor centre.
Visitors warned against animal tours at Pyramids of Giza
Some hope that the relocation of tour vendors is also a step towards bringing an end to animal cruelty reported at the site.
A recent investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) found instances of routine abuse and animals left to rot at the side of the road.
“PETA has documented the routine punching, kicking, whipping, and starving of horses and camels at the pyramids,” says PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker.
ADVERTISEMENT“Animals are literally ridden to death and then dumped like rubbish outside the gate. The Pyramids of Giza should symbolise Egypt's beauty and history - not unchecked animal abuse. The Egyptian government must act to remove these suffering animals from Giza.”
The campaign group is urging tourists not to engage the services of these animal tour companies.