The world today celebrates Tourism Day which has as aim to highlight the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity.
This year it is celebrated under the theme “Tourism and Green Investment”.
As part of activities for the 57th training session of Young African Journalists taking place in Egypt, participants have had the opportunity to visit some touristic sites of the country.
The Citadel of Qaitbay
Participants on Friday September 22, 2023 visited the Citadel of Qaitbay located in the Island of Pharos Western of Alexandria city.
The Citadel it should be said was named after Sultan Ashraf Qaitbay who wanted to protect Alexandria city from the threats of the Ottoman empire.
Qaitbay citadel is one of the top attractions in Alexandria city for its historic value and important position. Qaitbay built the fortress on the citadel taking advantage of an existing foundation on the site, that of the Legendary Pharos Lighthouse, which had fallen into ruins by the 14th century due to repeated damage by earthquakes.
Though the citadel had long given up its military function, today it houses a small naval museum, when tourists visit the fortress, they get to imagine the huge structure that once stood on that foundation.
The peninsula leading to the citadel is also a popular area with fishermen and families. It is usually busy with a pleasant crowd enjoying the sea views, restaurants and ice cream shops that line the street up to the fortress
The Great Library of Alexandria
The history of the library dates as far back as 1972 when UNESCO and Egypt collaborated and called for a National competition and out of 1400 architects who competed, the contract was given to Snohetta, a ….
The Library celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. Meanwhile, it took six years to be constructed from 1995 to 2001 while the official inauguration too place October 12, 2002.
Inside the library, there is the conference center, which was built and inaugurated separately in 1991 by an Egyptian architect called Abuget, the uniqueness of the building is that it blends ancient and modern architecture.
Then there is the planetarium, a multi-dimensional site where they stream scientific movies. There is also a place dedicated to children called the Alex Planetarium to make science experiments.
Participants visited the library of Alexandria on Sunday September 24, 2023 during which they were given a guided tour in the magnificient structure which has become a center of attraction for tourists.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC)
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation presents a tangible and intangible heritage within a cultural framework that allows visitors from different backgrounds to easily relate to the objects in the display.
Visitors also have the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of the Egyptian culture in a welcoming and exciting environment.
The museum displays and preserves for future generations exceptional collections belonging to the history of mankind like the Royal mummies of ancient rulers in Egypt.
NMEC also hosts films, concerts and theatre like events reflecting Egyptian civilization.
The NMEC also provides access to educational and research resources through library, study centers, online data, photographs, archives, teaching resources and publications.
On Tuesday September 26, 2023, the participants had the opportunity to be immersed in the tangible and intangible heritage of the Egyptian civilization exquisitely preserved in the NMEC, with the most remarkable being the Royal mummies and coffins of some great Egyptian rulers who existed.
Citadel of Saladin
Besides the touristic sites already visited, the participants are still to discover the Citadel of Saladin-Khan El Khalily and Al Moez St.
The Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) is one of the most iconic monuments in Islamic Cairo, and among the most impressive defensive fortresses dating to the Middle Ages.
Its strategic location on the Muqattam Hills give it a formidable defensive position and an unrestricted panoramic view of Cairo.
The Citadel is said to have witnessed some of the most significant events in Egyptian history from the time it was built to the end of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, which was in power from the early nineteenth century until the 1952 revolution, when the modern Egyptian republic was born.
The Pyramids and Sphynx
Another visit highly anticipated by the participants is to the Pyramids and the Sphynx which are amongst the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Each of these spectacular structures are said to have served as the final resting place of Kings of the 4th Dynasty.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built for king Khufu and the other two for Khafre and Menkaure, his son and grandson.
Although the three pyramids dominate the plateau, they are in fact surrounded by many other monuments.
The Religious Complex (Old Cairo)
The Religious Complex which is crowded with religious tourism is a great destination for tourists from all countries of the world as it includes the most important places of worship for the three monotheistic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
The Religious Complex (Old Cairo)
The Religious Complex is located in Cairo, specifically in the area of Old Cairo near the ancient fortress of Babylon.
It includes the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas, the Hanging Church, the Jewish Temple of Ibn Azra, and several other churches, including the Church and Cave of Mary Gerges, the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Cave, the Holy Well, the Monastery of the Girls Sisters, and the Church of St. Barbara.
The Religious Complex is the last touristic site the participants are expected to visit in Egypt before the end of their training session.