Egypt and Jordan discussed launching joint tourism programmes and expanding co-operation in archaeology during talks in Cairo on Monday.
Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy met his Jordanian counterpart Imad Hijazin at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), where the two ministers explored ways to market combined travel packages to international visitors.
The proposed programmes would link tourist destinations in both countries, targeting long-haul markets including Latin America, the ministry said. The plan would draw on air connections operated by EgyptAir and Royal Jordanian to facilitate travel between the two countries.
The ministers also discussed a joint religious tourism product connecting religious and spiritual sites in Egypt and Jordan. Jordan’s planned 2030 commemoration of the baptism of Jesus Christ could help promote the initiative, according to the statement.
Fathy said the proposed religious tourism programme was intended as a year-round and sustainable offering, rather than being limited to a single event.
The two sides agreed to establish a joint working group to develop implementation mechanisms, prepare integrated travel packages and promote them internationally. They also called for greater involvement by private-sector tourism operators in designing and marketing the programmes.
In archaeology, the ministers discussed cooperation in research, excavations, conservation, museum displays, training and capacity-building.
Hijazin praised Egypt’s expertise in Egyptology, archaeological management, excavation and restoration, the ministry said.
He also commended Egypt’s model of involving private companies in visitor services at archaeological sites and museums after visiting the Giza pyramids and the GEM.
Fathy said Egypt would continue to prioritise the protection of heritage sites while developing visitor services and generating revenues to support conservation and restoration work.
Hijazin and his delegation later toured the GEM and the Giza pyramids.
