MANILA — Egypt is opening its doors wide to Filipino travelers, inviting them to rediscover the land of the Pharaohs as the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) finally opens near the iconic Giza pyramids.
In a recent engagement in Manila, Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki said Egypt is eager to work closely with the Philippine Department of Tourism, private travel groups, and schools to make Egypt more accessible and appealing to Filipino tourists.
“We’re inviting Filipinos to come back,” Zaki said. “We want to understand what they need and make it available for them — whether it’s history, museums, or even beaches.”
The ambassador noted that the number of Filipino visitors dropped significantly during the pandemic and amid regional tensions. But with peace prospects improving, he believes this is the perfect time to revive tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
A New Era for Egypt’s Heritage
After more than two decades of planning and construction, the Grand Egyptian Museum finally opened its doors this week — marking what Egypt’s president described as “a new chapter in the history of the present and the future.”
Spanning nearly 500,000 square meters, the GEM is now the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. It features around 100,000 artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection and a massive colossal statue of Ramses II, all with breathtaking views of the Giza Plateau.
During the presentation, Egyptian officials gave Filipino tourism stakeholders an exclusive video tour of the museum’s grand halls, offering a glimpse of the ancient treasures waiting to be explored.
Strengthening Cultural Ties
Ambassador Zaki said this initiative marks “the start of cooperation” between Egypt and the Philippines.
“I will be in contact with local travel agencies to understand what Filipino tourists are looking for and to connect them with agencies in Egypt,” he explained. “It has to go both ways — I also want to encourage Egyptians to visit the Philippines.”
Zaki expressed hope for a renewed cultural exchange, recalling that the last major Egyptian exhibition in the Philippines was held in 1975.
“I would love to see another one soon,” he added.
Preserving Egypt’s Legacy
The ambassador also touched on Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reclaim historic artifacts displayed abroad, such as the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum and the Dendera Zodiac in the Louvre.
“There’s always a debate — legal and moral,” Zaki said. “You may have taken it legally, but is it moral to keep it? We are now working hard through diplomacy to bring our treasures home.”
As Egypt welcomes the world back to its timeless monuments, the invitation to Filipinos is clear:
Come and experience the magic, history, and heart of Egypt — where every stone tells a story that has lasted for millennia.
