April 25, 2025 | 09:52 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Egypt plans to revamp regulations at the Giza Pyramids. Egypt's iconic tourist destinations, visited by millions of tourists every year, but many have experienced unpleasant incidents at this UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are not enough tour operators to match the density of visitors. Instead, they are very aggressive towards tourists. Not to mention poor management and reports of cruelty to animals. Egypt plans to change regulations and improve management, costing US$51 million.
Protests from horse and camel tour operators
But the renewal efforts faced initial difficulties. Horse and camel tour operators protested by blocking vehicle access during the trial of a new access point on Fayoum Road. This access point replaces the historic entrance near Marriott Mena House, which often experiences traffic jams and congestion.
Horse and camel tour operators protested because the relocation of the parking area to a new place was considered too far from the entrance and made it difficult for them to find passengers. Their relocation was due to frequent extortion and rude behavior towards tourists.
Businessman Naguib Sawiris, founder of Orascom Telecom Holding and Orascom Investment Holding, who leads the Giza pyramids renovation project, responded to the protests of horse and camel tour operators through X.
“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 wrote, as quoted from Euronews.
Aside from the trial of the new access point, private vehicles and tour buses are prohibited from entering the highland. However, environmentally friendly electric vehicles are provided for visitors and guides to travel around the location. About 45 electric buses are available and scheduled to operate every five minutes. Other renovations will include the restoration of several tombs, introducing online tickets, and a new visitor center.
Advisory against using animal tour services
The issuance of tour operators is also expected as a step to end cruelty to animals, reported from the area. A recent investigation by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) found cases of routine abuse and animals left to rot on the side of the road.
Vice President of PETA Asia Jason Baker said there is documentation of routine acts of beating, kicking, whipping, and starving horses and camels at the pyramids. He urged tourists not to use the services of these animal tour companies.
“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,” he said.
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