Egypt is planning a major revamp of the Pyramids of Giza, aiming to improve tourist experiences at the world-famous site. Although the pyramids continue to draw large numbers of visitors, problems like poor management, aggressive vendors, mistreatment of animals, and overcrowding have often marred the experience.
To address these long-standing issues, Orascom Pyramids Entertainment Services Company has launched a $51 million project. Key upgrades include the introduction of 45 electric buses operating every five minutes to ease visitor movement around the plateau.
Renovations also cover the restoration of several tombs, an updated visitor centre, and the launch of an online ticketing system. Animal welfare improvements are also a focus of the plan.
Entrepreneur Naguib Sawiris, who leads Orascom Telecom Holding and Orascom Investment Holding, announced that small businesses refusing to move to a newly designated area will face penalties. He emphasised that protecting the Pyramids and ensuring public welfare is more important than the interests of a few individuals who have long harmed the site.
Animal mistreatment at the pyramids has also drawn international criticism. A recent investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) found routine abuse of horses and camels used for tourist rides. Their report described animals being punched, kicked, whipped, starved, and sometimes ridden to death before being discarded near the site.
PETA's Asia Vice President, Jason Baker, urged that the Pyramids should represent Egypt's beauty and history, not animal cruelty. He called on the Egyptian government to remove suffering animals from the Giza site.
The new project hopes to not only protect Egypt’s cultural treasures but also ensure a better, more humane experience for both visitors and animals.
Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
