
Rehla platform to launch soon, offering free school trips to museums, heritage sites - Museums
The initiative falls under the Ministry's broader strategy to foster educational engagement with Egypt's rich heritage, while leveraging digital transformation to improve accessibility and the overall visitor experience.
Through Rehla, public primary and preparatory schools will be able to schedule free visits to 112 archaeological sites and museums, which are available for booking via the Ministry's digital platform.
These include some of Egypt's most iconic landmarks, such as the Giza Pyramids Complex, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Citadel of Salah El-Din, Karnak and Abu Simbel Temples, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to adopting advanced technologies in support of its strategic goals, with a particular focus on improving the visitor experience and expanding access to cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of completing the Rehla platform before the start of the upcoming academic year, including all technical development, content validation, and final testing.
'Once operational, the platform is expected to streamline the process of booking school trips, minimize overcrowding at heritage sites, ensure the safety of participating students, and foster greater awareness and appreciation of Egypt's diverse tourism and archaeological legacy,' Fathy said.
Mohamed Shaaban, the Minister's Associate for Digital Transformation, explained that the platform—developed in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education—integrates both ministries' databases to enable secure, electronic verification for school trip coordinators.
Once launched, Rehla will offer a user-friendly system for planning visits according to designated time slots and site-specific visitor capacities, ensuring a well-managed, crowd-free, and safe educational experience.
Free admission is granted to participating students, as per decisions issued by the boards of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, as part of a broader effort to promote early cultural engagement.
The Rehla platform is being executed in collaboration with E-Aswaq Misr, the company behind the Ministry's e-ticketing system and a subsidiary of E-Finance for Financial and Digital Investments.
The launch of Rehla is part of a broader digital transformation effort by the Ministry, which has recently rolled out an integrated e-ticketing system for archaeological sites and museums. This system supports payments via bank cards and multiple digital channels, including the official website www.egymonuments.com, the Experience Egypt mobile app, self-service kiosks, and dedicated sales points for tour operators.
By offering free, well-organized school trips to Egypt's cultural and historical landmarks, the Rehla platform aims to become a cornerstone in the government's mission to nurture a generation more deeply connected to its national identity and heritage—through the power of education and digital innovation.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


See - Sada Elbalad
10 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Launches Egypt's First Online Training Platform in Tourism and Antiquities: EGTAP.com
Ali abo deshish Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, officially launched Egypt's first online training platform dedicated to the fields of tourism and antiquities, under the name The platform aims to offer accredited and diverse training programs to upskill and qualify human resources within the Ministry and across the tourism and antiquities sectors, in alignment with Egypt's national strategy to invest in human capital and advance digital transformation. In his opening remarks, Minister Fathy emphasized that this initiative is part of the Ministry's broader plan to build capable human resources who can adapt to rapid global changes by leveraging the latest technologies and digital tools to enhance governmental performance. He noted that the development of human capital is a cornerstone in improving service quality and enhancing Egypt's competitiveness as a leading global tourism destination. The Minister explained that the platform offers professional training content tailored to the needs of both public and private sector workers in tourism and antiquities, as well as researchers and students in the field. It provides a variety of training courses, workshops, and programs led by top academics and industry experts, with continuous performance evaluations for both trainers and trainees to ensure effective learning and maximum impact. He added that the platform introduces a flexible and advanced e-learning model that allows users to study from anywhere, at any time, and earn official digital certificates upon successful completion. In the future, the platform is also expected to connect outstanding trainees with job opportunities in the private tourism sector, further enhancing workforce quality. Moreover, the Minister noted that the platform's content will be continuously updated with new programs that reflect sector demands, including areas like sustainable tourism, food safety, marketing, management, hospitality, and more. Minister Fathy also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and his team, as well as the executing company, for their support in completing the platform's technical infrastructure—highlighting the fruitful cooperation between the two ministries. He also thanked the dedicated team at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for their efforts in finalizing all procedures needed for the platform's launch. The Minister praised the Chamber of Hotel Establishments for recently signing strategic cooperation agreements with two leading global companies in the field of digital hospitality training, noting that the Ministry is providing technical, moral, and financial support for this project. He concluded by stressing the importance of non-traditional training models aimed at enhancing the real capabilities of those working in the tourism and antiquities sectors, underlining that today's launch marks the beginning of a larger journey. In the coming years, the platform is envisioned to become one of the world's leading hubs for professional tourism and antiquities training. During the event, attendees witnessed a live demonstration of the platform, showcasing how to register, navigate the system, and access training materials. The presentation also highlighted featured trainers, major course topics, and the latest news related to the Ministry's training initiatives. Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, Assistant Minister for Digital Services, explained that the platform represents a pivotal step in leveraging technology to support and develop Egypt's tourism and antiquities sectors. He noted that users can register for free at create a personal profile with their basic, professional, and academic information, and enroll in available training courses. A selection of free live-streamed courses is already available, with pre-recorded courses to be added soon. Upon completing any course, users will receive a verified digital certificate. Dr. Soha Bahgat, Advisor to the Minister for Training, highlighted that the platform offers a modern training model tailored to the evolving needs of the sector. It aligns with Egypt's digital transformation goals and provides innovative content developed in collaboration with the Egyptian Tourism Federation and specialized tourism chambers. The content is designed to accommodate diverse professional and academic backgrounds, balancing theoretical knowledge with practical experience. In the same context, Dr. Ahmed Raheemah, Assistant Minister for Human Resources Development and General Supervisor of the Central Training Unit, stated that the platform not only delivers training but also contributes to building clear, structured career paths for sector workers. It ensures equal training opportunities and represents a qualitative leap in the training of Ministry employees and affiliated bodies, with specialized courses in archaeological sites and museums, human development, scientific research, arts and architecture, history and civilization, excavation sciences, and entrepreneurship. He added that this platform is aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030, which emphasizes building human capital and achieving sustainable development through investment in education and training. It supports national efforts to improve workforce efficiency and adaptability to technological changes through flexible, continuous learning opportunities tailored to practical, real-world needs. The event was attended by: • Yomna El-Bahhar, Deputy Minister • Dr. Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities • Eng. Ahmed Youssef, Assistant Minister for Strategic Affairs and Acting CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority • Mr. Ahmed Obeid, Assistant Minister for Administrative Affairs and Permanent Undersecretary • Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority • Dr. Tayyeb Abbas, CEO of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization Authority • Eng. Mostafa Al-Din Imam, Assistant Minister for the Minister's Office Affairs • Mr. Mohamed Fahmy, Assistant Minister for Economic Affairs • Mr. Ehab Salem, Assistant Minister for Internal Audit and Governance • Ms. Samia Sami, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies Affairs • Counselor Mohamed Kamel Abdel Zaher, Legal Advisor to the Ministry • Mr. Mohamed Amer, Head of the Central Department for Hotel Establishments and Tourism Activities • Dr. Soha Bahgat, Advisor to the Minister for Training • Ms. Riham Samir, Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs • Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, Advisor to the Minister for Digital Services • Eng. Yomna Ismail, Advisor to the Minister for the Grand Egyptian Museum Affairs read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language


See - Sada Elbalad
10 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Meets Over 20 New Egyptian Ambassadors and Consuls Before Their Overseas Appointments
Ali abo deshish In a broad meeting held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, met with more than 20 newly appointed ambassadors and consuls general who are set to represent Egypt abroad. This meeting comes within the framework of ongoing coordination and cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration. At the outset, Minister Sherif Fathy welcomed the diplomats, wishing them success in their new assignments. He emphasized the critical role they play in promoting Egyptian tourism abroad and in presenting a modern and comprehensive image of Egypt that reflects both its ancient civilization and its contemporary development. He stressed the importance of highlighting Egypt's rich tourism assets and the diversity and uniqueness of its tourism products and experiences, in a way that enhances Egypt's global tourism position and attracts more tourists and investments. The Minister presented the vision and mission of the Ministry, along with the main pillars of its current strategy, which focuses on positioning Egypt as the world's leading destination in terms of the variety of tourism products it offers—from cultural, beach, and spiritual tourism to desert adventures and more. He further explained that the Ministry's strategy aims to achieve sustainable economic security through tourism, by generating long-term returns that positively impact local communities surrounding heritage and tourism sites. This, in turn, fosters a culture of preservation and care for these sites. Minister Fathy also spoke about the Ministry's commitment to regularly updating its strategies and action plans in response to current and future developments, based on comprehensive analyses and market forecasts, especially in light of global political and economic changes. He underscored that training, qualification, and development of human capital—particularly young, talented professionals with specialized skills—is a top priority for the Ministry. Investing in human resources is a cornerstone of the Ministry's vision for sustainable sectoral growth. The Minister highlighted Egypt's keenness to engage in international knowledge exchange in the fields of tourism and antiquities, including the organization of professional joint workshops. He referenced a recent workshop held on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, which brought together Egyptian and Bahraini travel companies to lay the groundwork for future cooperation. He also reviewed the ongoing service development project at the Giza Pyramids area, part of the Ministry's broader efforts to enhance the visitor experience at Egyptian museums and archaeological sites. He pointed to the Ministry's collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant animal welfare NGOs to ensure the well-being of horses, camels, and other animals at archaeological areas, especially in Giza. Minister Fathy reaffirmed the Egyptian government's full commitment to preserving the country's heritage and history, while also exploring ways to maximize the economic benefits of antiquities without compromising their cultural value or harming the surrounding environment. He noted the Ministry is currently working with UNESCO on several major initiatives and projects. He also stressed Egypt's unwavering determination—through continued cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration—to repatriate Egyptian antiquities that were illegally taken abroad. The Minister discussed the significant role that temporary exhibitions of Egyptian antiquities held abroad play in promoting Egypt's tourism sector and showcasing its diverse offerings. He referred to the recent approval by the Supreme Council of Antiquities to host two temporary exhibitions in Italy and Hong Kong, which will serve as powerful tools for destination marketing in those countries. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister responded to several questions and inquiries from the diplomats regarding the tourism and antiquities sectors, and listened attentively to their suggestions and ideas. Also attending the meeting was Eng. Ahmed Youssef, Assistant Minister for Strategic Affairs and Acting CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language


Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
An early Coptic city unveiled in Egypt's Western Desert - Coptic
An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has unveiled a significant discovery in the heart of the Western Desert of the remains of the central residential city of Kharga Oasis, dating back to the early Coptic period. Located in the Ain al-Kharab archaeological site within the Islamic and Coptic archaeological zone, the city offers rare insight into Egypt's transition from paganism to Christianity. Among the findings are the ruins of residential structures, churches, and cemeteries, as well as a mural depicting Christ healing a sick person. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, described the discovery as a testament to the depth and diversity of Egyptian civilisation during one of its most transformative periods. "This find enriches our understanding of religious transition in Egypt and highlights the values of tolerance and cultural diversity deeply rooted in our history," he said. He reaffirmed the Ministry's continued support for archaeological missions nationwide and commended the achievements of Egyptian teams working to enhance Egypt's global standing as a cultural tourism destination. "This discovery is considered as a valuable window into early Christian life in Egypt," asserted Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA. He emphasised the importance of the find in shedding light on the beginnings of the Coptic era in Egypt. "Kharga Oasis played a key role as a religious and social hub throughout many historical periods, and this discovery further confirms its significance," Khaled stated. He explained that the unearthed structures include mudbrick homes with plastered walls, service areas equipped with daily-use ovens, and storage spaces containing large, fixed pottery jars once used for preserving food and grain. The mission also recovered ostraca, pottery fragments, glass and stone artefacts, burial remains, and a vivid mural illustrating Christ performing a healing miracle. Seham Ismail, Director General of Antiquities in Kharga and head of the mission, revealed that the team also uncovered the remains of two churches. One is a large basilica-style church featuring a central hall flanked by two aisles, separated by rows of square columns, with service buildings lying to its south. The second church is smaller, rectangular in shape, with remnants of seven exterior columns and Coptic inscriptions still visible on its interior walls. Additional service structures were found on its western side. Ismail added that findings from previous excavation seasons indicate that the site was used continuously across several historical eras. Roman-era buildings were later adapted for use during the early Coptic period and again in the Islamic era — a testament to the region's long-standing role as a centre of life and continuity. This latest discovery further cements Egypt's Western Oases' status as historical treasures and reinforces the country's enduring significance in the region's religious and cultural narrative. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: