I do not know where and when I read the title of ‘Sad Thebes’. Thebes was the capital of the ancient world, now called Luxor. Archaeologists say it contains more than a quarter of the whole world’s antiquities. It is enough that it contains the Temple of Karnak, which is unparalleled elsewhere in the world, orient and occident, ancient or modern.
Thebes is sad despite what we said about it because the number of tourists visiting, it is not commensurate with the unique place it enjoys in world tourism.
Recently I visited the city of Fayoum and stayed in one of its finest hotels. It too is sad despite its many archaeological and tourist destinations, some of which which I will mention later, because there is not a single tourist visiting it.
If Luxor is known for the Temple of Karnak and the Rams Road, Fayoum has sites that date back to a few centuries BC, which is relatively recent, that we should point to, albeit not in depth.
Wadi al-Rayan lies 70 km from the city over an area of more than 30,000 square meters. It consists of several lakes and natural springs. Perhaps what distinguishes it most are the waterfalls, which are rare in Egypt.
And there is Wadi Hitan (Whale Valley) where there are fossils of whales that are hundreds of thousands of years old. One such fossil is displayed at the Geological Museum in Cairo, which many people, including myself, do not even know where it is.
There are also the famous water wheels, an irrigation means that farmers used before the High Dam was built.
What I want to say is that Fayoum can serve as a destination for international tourism like Taba and other places. As a matter of fact, not only is Egypt a destination for historical, cultural and religious tourism, but with its extended beaches and pleasant weather, it surpasses tourist attraction countries like Italy, Spain or France.
So why is this not the case?
The answer is because we do not know how to market Egypt as a tourist destination. We need a professional marketing company to promote Egypt as long as the official bodies fail to do so.
Tourism can be the main source of national income. And there are millions who work in tourism. I point out this treasure, which can change our economy drastically.
I am confident that Egypt is stepping into a promising phase with its giant national projects, such as the new Suez Canal.
God be with the people and leadership of Egypt. The president and the prime minister are working tirelessly. I heard the prime minister takes sandwiches on his tours because he finds no time to sit and eat properly.
Egypt will take off. And its people, who made two revolutions and toppled two tyrants in less than three years, are able to make other miracles.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
