The US Agency For International Development (USAID) Mission Director Leslie Reed travelled to Luxor Governorate on January 31 to visit Egyptian cultural heritage sites that the United States helped preserve.
During the visit, which ended Friday, Reed met with senior Egyptian officials from the private sector and local partner organisations.
Mission Director Reed stated: “The United States has worked hand-in-hand with Egypt for 40 years to preserve Egyptian historical sites, increase tourism, and create jobs.”
This included the restoration of Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Medinet Habu, Amenhotep III Temple, Carter House, Tombs of the Nobles, and sites in the city of Esna.
It’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to visit these sites and witness the impact of our collaboration in this significant area.
The US administration has invested more than $100 million (LE1.57 billion) to preserve and protect more than 85 cultural heritage sites in Egypt.
In Luxor, this includes massive engineering projects to lower groundwater that threatened monuments, conservation and documentation, tourism development, and the training of hundreds of Egyptian archeologists.
This work was implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in co-operation with global partners, such as the American Research Centre in Egypt, Chicago House, FHI 360, and Takween Integrated Community Development.
During her visit, Reed also participated in the launch of the Esna Tourism Promotion Campaign. This campaign is part of the $8.6 million US investment that restored historic landmarks and revitalised Esna’s tourism infrastructure, and will showcase Esna as a prime tourist destination to tour operators, investors and the public.
The step will put Esna back on the tourism map and engage the private sector to explore investment opportunities and partnerships.
In the coming months, the campaign will hold exhibitions, photography competitions, and folkloric events to highlight Esna’s attractions, its readiness to host expanded tourism, and opportunities for potential further investment. USAID’s work in Esna is revitalising cultural tourism, creating jobs, and increasing public and private investment.
The move is in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of International Co-operation, Luxor Governorate, and local partners.
Since 1978, the US people have invested over $30 billion (LE471 billion) to support Egypt’s economic development.
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