Country free from the fighting that's ravaged Gaza
An Ontario based tour operator that has a long-running Egypt program says the continued fighting in Gaza, while tragic, shouldn’t dissuade people from visiting Egypt.
Sally Mikhail of Mississauga-based GMTours says that the long-running Gaza conflict hasn’t spilled over into Egypt, part of which borders Gaza.
“The situation in Gaza is serious, but Egypt’s main tourist areas – like Cairo, Luxor, and the Red Sea resorts – are hundreds of kilometers away and haven’t been directly affected,” she states. “Most governments, including Canada’s, advise caution (when visiting Egypt) but don’t discourage travel. If you stick to well-known destinations and stay informed, it’s still considered safe to visit.”
Mikhail adds that the tourism trade in Egypt – known for its ancient side – is benefitting from a number of recent developments, including the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, a showcase for the Pharaonic era.
“This colossal museum – the world’s largest archeological museum devoted to one civilization – opened partially in October,” Mikhail states. “Its full launch has been rescheduled to late 2025. It boasts 12 public galleries, a grand staircase, gardens, and the colossal Ramses II statue . When fully open, it’ll display over 100,000 artifacts, including King Tutankhamun’s complete collection and ancient solar boats.”
The Grand Egyptian is found in Cairo-area Giza, home to the Pyramids and the Sphinx.
Giza is seeing a US$51 million revamp, which includes the Pyramids area now featuring electric shuttle buses, a new visitor centre, online ticketing, and improved animal welfare.
Cairo is now home to the Cairo Eye, Africa’s tallest Ferris wheel at 120 meters and found by the Nile. It features what Mikhail describes as 48 panoramic cabins that offer 50-km views of the Nile. Its area has riverside dining, shopping, events venues, and seamless transit options.
Ras El Hekma is a massive development north of Mediterranean-fronting Alexandria that features resorts, a private airport, marina, golf courses, and even a cable car option. Green River Park, part of the Cairo-area New Administrative Capital, is described as a “truly mega urban project… that’s six times the size of New York City’s Central Park.”
Meanwhile, Mikhail says there are intriguing parts of Egypt that see few Canadians, including the Siwa Oasis, described as a remote Berber oasis town that has its own language, culture, and ancient traditions, along with what she labels stunning landscapes: salt lakes, date palm trees, and the Great Sand Sea.
“It’s also home to the Oracle Temple of Amun, once visited by Alexander the Great,” Mikhail reports, adding visitors will also find natural hot springs, mud-brick architecture, and organic local food.
The Baharia Oasis and White Desert in turn offer overnight desert Bedouin-stylecamping under the stars, and “hot springs with crystal mountains, rolling hills covered in black volcanic rock, the Valley of the Golden Mummies and Tomb of Bannentiu,” which dates back to Ancient Eygpt’s 26th Dynasty.
Abydos, located north of Luxor, features theTemple of Seti I, which Mikhail describes as “one of the most beautifully preserved temples in Egypt.” It’s home to the Abydos King List, an ancient list of all pharaohs, and sacred Osiris myths.
The site is “spiritually significant in ancient Egypt,” Mikhail adds. “I wish Canadians will actually visit the oases and Abydos and this beautiful temple,” Mikhail states.
More information is available at www.gmtours.com or by calling 1-800-836-6836.
