Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damati announced that all archaeological sites and museums will be open for free on Thursday, for Egyptians and foreigners, on the occasion of the annual "Day of Archaeologists".
The decision respects the important role archaeologists play in the protection of heritage and our keenness to encourage citizens to visit and archeological sites to learn about Egypt's history, read a statement issued by Damati on Monday.
The tourism sector has been suffering in Egypt for five years due to political and social unrest. The government has recently intitiated several campaigns, including one that allowed free photography in the Egyptian Museum, to boost tourism following recent events that has seen the number of foreign visitors to Egypt recede.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
