In statements to Sputnik, it was forecasted that the turnout at the museum will continue, with an increase in numbers during the first week of its opening. It was noted that all its halls, starting from the main hall, King Tutankhamun’s hall, the boat museum, and the grand staircase, are filled with visitors. Kamal added that the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum represents the beginning of a new phase for the museum’s restoration center, explaining that the center’s role in restoration will continue after the opening. This is to preserve the current artifacts or to add new pieces, with the aim of making the museum a cultural and scientific beacon in heritage preservation, Egyptology, and museology.
Egypt officially opened the museum last Saturday, with attendees including kings, princes, and heads of states and governments. The museum was temporarily closed for the two following days before it started welcoming the public today. The Grand Egyptian Museum is the largest museum dedicated to ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. It spans an area of about 500,000 square meters and houses more than 100,000 artifacts. Among these is the collection of King Tutankhamun, which is being fully displayed for the first time since his tomb was discovered in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor in 1922.
Egyptian authorities hope that the new museum will boost tourism, expecting it alone to attract around seven million visitors annually, potentially adding nearly 30 million visitors by 2030.
