Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy and Luxor Governor Abdel Muttalib Emara inaugurated on Thursday two restored tombs in the Khokha area on Luxor’s West Bank.
The tombs belong to Amenhotep, known as “Rapuya” (TT416), and his son Samut (TT417). The site was reopened after restoration and development work was completed.
Fathy said preserving Egypt’s antiquities remains a top priority for the ministry. He described the project as a long journey that started in 2015 and was completed in 2026.
The minister said Egypt aims to strengthen its position as a leading destination for Egyptology studies.
He also revealed plans to establish a specialized training center for researchers from around the world.
Fathy stressed the importance of cooperation with the private sector to improve services at archaeological sites and museums, while maintaining the ministry’s responsibility for protecting heritage sites.
He added that Egypt’s tourism sector recorded growth of 15.6% during the first quarter of this year.
He said the impact of regional tensions on tourism remains limited due to proactive government measures.
For his part, Luxor Governor Abdel Muttalib Emara said the city continues to witness new archaeological discoveries, reinforcing its status as a global cultural tourism destination.
