Egypt’s PM inspects surroundings of Grand Egyptian Museum ahead of official opening

CAIRO – 13 September 2025: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly ad several ministers conducted a field tour Saturday to inspect ongoing projects to develop the area surrounding the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), including the tourist walkway and the Sphinx International Airport.

The tour comes while the world is anticipating the official inauguration of GEM on 1 November, further enhancing Egypt's position as a leading global tourist destination.

As part of major projects surrounding GEM, the newly constructed tourist walkway connects the museum and the Great Pyramids area.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inspects the new statue area at the entrance to the Cairo-Alexandria Road leading to the Grand Egyptian Museum - Cabinet

Major General Atef Moftah, General Supervisor of the GEM Project, noted that the walkway extends around 1.27 km, providing the possibility of walking or using environmentally friendly electric vehicles between the museum and the pyramids area.

It starts at the designated parking area for GEM, passing through Fayoum Road, where the museum’s visual identity is highlighted, and extends into the archaeological area of the pyramids, blending with its historical and cultural fabric.

Enhanced Guest Experience at Sphinx Airport

Madbouly began his inspection tour with a visit to the ongoing development works at Sphinx International Airport, located near the Giza Pyramids and GEM.

The prime minister stressed that Sphinx International Airport serves as a strategic gateway connecting western Cairo to key tourist and archaeological sites.

 

He highlighted the airport’s growing importance with the upcoming opening of GEM, a global cultural landmark expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world.

Madbouly also emphasized that the airport’s location makes it a central hub for receiving official delegations and tourists alike.

He underscored the need for a high standard of hospitality for all guests and visitors, ensuring that all necessary services are provided to facilitate their experience at the airport.

He also called for continuous maintenance of facilities and for officials to remain present on-site to oversee operations and promptly resolve any emerging issues.

 

GEM Grand Opening

GEM, scheduled to officially open on 1 November in a grand ceremony, is set to become the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated for one civilization.

The museum hosted a soft opening in November 2023, welcoming visitors to explore its beautiful gardens and cafes, the impressive hanging obelisk, and the main galleries.

Cairo has invited world leaders and public figures to attend the opening, which is set to feature a range of accompanying cultural and artistic events.

As the sun sets, the Grand Egyptian Museum takes on a different kind of beauty, softly lit, calm, and full of quiet stories waiting to be discovered - GEM

The museum is among the largest and most modern museums globally, covering an expansive 500,000 square meters and housing an extensive collection of artifacts, including the priceless complete collection of Tutankhamun.

Many of these rare and unique archaeological finds have never been publicly displayed before, making GEM a significant addition to the global cultural landscape.

The museum opening is set to serve Egypt’s ambitious goal in attracting 30 million tourists by 2028, double the number it received in 2024, with the country relying on tourism as a vital source of foreign currency.