Latest news with #50Best
NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
The $30 Million Plan To Overhaul Tourism Around Egypt's Pyramids
Some 2.5 million people visit the Pyramids of Giza each year with hopes of an epic experience befitting one of the World's Seven Wonders. But for decades, a trip to Egypt's most famous tourist spot meant battling crowds and parrying aggressive hawkers. Now, thanks to a $30 million revamp that rethinks the experience, seeing the pyramids is finally inspiring more awe than agony. A network of buses whisks visitors around the site, the hard-sells have been tamed - and you can even enjoy some fine dining overlooking the 4,600-year-old monuments. All this officially debuts on July 3 - a milestone seven years in the making. In 2018, the Egyptian government signed a public-private partnership deal with Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris' Orascom Pyramids Entertainment to overhaul the Giza Plateau, the area west of Cairo on which the ancient structures sit. A soft launch began in early April, allowing OPE to make improvements and address shortcomings ahead of a wider reveal, OPE Executive Chairman Amr Gazarin said in an interview. The firm will operate the location for the next 11 years, drawing revenue not from ticket sales - which the government is solely entitled to - but from VIP tours, sponsorship deals and commercial leases on the grounds. The opening date coincides with the long-awaited inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum - the $1 billion flagship attraction sitting about a mile away. Taken together, the two projects represent some of the biggest strides yet in Egypt's goal of doubling annual visitors to 30 million within a decade. It's a target that would put it roughly on par with Greece, making it one of the most-visited countries in the world. New Gate, New Rules One of the key changes was to make the Giza Plateau car-free. Instead of driving up a winding road in the shadow of the Great Pyramid, visitors now enter via a gate on a highway 1.5 miles to the southwest. After passing through the so-called Great Gate and buying tickets, visitors navigate a gleaming hall of introductory exhibits before boarding new hop-on, hop-off buses. Within minutes, they can be dropped off at the feet of the three colossal pyramids, each built from 80-ton limestone blocks. The iconic Great Sphinx lies further below. At bus stops around the site they'll find facilities that were long-lacking, including upgraded restrooms, formal souvenir stores and cafes. And, with the opening of several eateries in recent years, you can finally order a meal on-site. Khufu's, which serves up a deluxe twist on Egyptian staples and has a terrace overlooking the pyramid built for the pharaoh of the same name, has been ranked one of the Middle East and North Africa's top restaurants by World's 50 Best. "It wasn't a good experience before, for sure," said Mariam Al-Gohary, 37, an Egyptian-Canadian citizen who visited the pyramids in mid-May for the first time in 15 years. "Now it's like going to the museum," said Al-Gohary, who works in human resources in Calgary, Alberta. "It looks like what you would expect a big tourist destination." Visitor numbers were up almost 24% in April compared to the year before, according to the Tourism Ministry. Egypt's tourist sector is already on a tear and saw record arrivals in the opening months of 2025, though, so it's unclear how much the project itself drove the increase. Tackling Horsemen OPE's Gazarin says Egyptian authorities are also helping the company tackle a critical issue: hawkers offering horse and camel rides. They've long been accused of being aggressive and overcharging as they literally and figuratively take tourists for a ride. Al-Gohary from Calgary recalled that when she and her friend rode camels in 2010, the owner demanded extra money to have the animals kneel so they could dismount from them - an infamous ploy. She avoided them altogether on this year's visit. For first-time visitors, it's now easier to avoid getting swept up by the scams. The new setup has denied horsemen and hawkers the access they had to the old entrance, where they were accused of accosting tourists. Authorities have allocated horsemen a separate and relatively isolated area, but many have been defiant and pushed for positions closer to the pyramids. It's a work in progress, says Gazarin, who expects Egyptian authorities to gradually tighten the limits to better ensure enforcement. "People were afraid to go to the pyramids" because of the issue, he said. He rues the fact the pyramids draw just 2.5 million visitors a year - half of them Egyptian. By comparison, over 12 million went to the Colosseum in Rome in 2023. But Gazarin knows it will take time to build up those numbers, especially in the face of regional conflicts that create some amount of local unpredictability. What matters, he says, is that the numbers trend upwards. "It's unacceptable the world's most important monument attracts just above one million foreigners."
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
The $30 Million Plan to Overhaul Tourism Around Egypt's Pyramids
(Bloomberg) -- Some 2.5 million people visit the Pyramids of Giza each year with hopes of an epic experience befitting one of the World's Seven Wonders. But for decades, a trip to Egypt's most famous tourist spot meant battling crowds and parrying aggressive hawkers. Now, thanks to a $30 million revamp that rethinks the experience, seeing the pyramids is finally inspiring more awe than agony. A network of buses whisks visitors around the site, the hard-sells have been tamed — and you can even enjoy some fine dining overlooking the 4,600-year-old monuments. All this officially debuts on July 3 — a milestone seven years in the making. In 2018, the Egyptian government signed a public-private partnership deal with Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris' Orascom Pyramids Entertainment to overhaul the Giza Plateau, the area west of Cairo on which the ancient structures sit. A soft launch began in early April, allowing OPE to make improvements and address shortcomings ahead of a wider reveal, OPE Executive Chairman Amr Gazarin said in an interview. The firm will operate the location for the next 11 years, drawing revenue not from ticket sales — which the government is solely entitled to — but from VIP tours, sponsorship deals and commercial leases on the grounds. The opening date coincides with the long-awaited inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum — the $1 billion flagship attraction sitting about a mile away. Taken together, the two projects represent some of the biggest strides yet in Egypt's goal of doubling annual visitors to 30 million within a decade. It's a target that would put it roughly on par with Greece, making it one of the most-visited countries in the world. One of the key changes was to make the Giza Plateau car-free. Instead of driving up a winding road in the shadow of the Great Pyramid, visitors now enter via a gate on a highway 1.5 miles to the southwest. After passing through the so-called Great Gate and buying tickets, visitors navigate a gleaming hall of introductory exhibits before boarding new hop-on, hop-off buses. Within minutes, they can be dropped off at the feet of the three colossal pyramids, each built from 80-ton limestone blocks. The iconic Great Sphinx lies further below. At bus stops around the site they'll find facilities that were long-lacking, including upgraded restrooms, formal souvenir stores and cafes. And, with the opening of several eateries in recent years, you can finally order a meal on-site. Khufu's, which serves up a deluxe twist on Egyptian staples and has a terrace overlooking the pyramid built for the pharaoh of the same name, has been ranked one of the Middle East and North Africa's top restaurants by World's 50 Best. 'It wasn't a good experience before, for sure,' said Mariam Al-Gohary, 37, an Egyptian-Canadian citizen who visited the pyramids in mid-May for the first time in 15 years. 'Now it's like going to the museum,' said Al-Gohary, who works in human resources in Calgary, Alberta. 'It looks like what you would expect a big tourist destination.' Visitor numbers were up almost 24% in April compared to the year before, according to the Tourism Ministry. Egypt's tourist sector is already on a tear and saw record arrivals in the opening months of 2025, though, so it's unclear how much the project itself drove the increase. OPE's Gazarin says Egyptian authorities are also helping the company tackle a critical issue: hawkers offering horse and camel rides. They've long been accused of being aggressive and overcharging as they literally and figuratively take tourists for a ride. Al-Gohary from Calgary recalled that when she and her friend rode camels in 2010, the owner demanded extra money to have the animals kneel so they could dismount from them – an infamous ploy. She avoided them altogether on this year's visit. For first-time visitors, it's now easier to avoid getting swept up by the scams. The new setup has denied horsemen and hawkers the access they had to the old entrance, where they were accused of accosting tourists. Authorities have allocated horsemen a separate and relatively isolated area, but many have been defiant and pushed for positions closer to the pyramids. It's a work in progress, says Gazarin, who expects Egyptian authorities to gradually tighten the limits to better ensure enforcement. 'People were afraid to go to the pyramids' because of the issue, he said. He rues the fact the pyramids draw just 2.5 million visitors a year — half of them Egyptian. By comparison, over 12 million went to the Colosseum in Rome in 2023. But Gazarin knows it will take time to build up those numbers, especially in the face of regional conflicts that create some amount of local unpredictability. What matters, he says, is that the numbers trend upwards. 'It's unacceptable the world's most important monument attracts just above one million foreigners.' --With assistance from Abdel Latif Wahba and Victoria Cagol. More stories like this are available on
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Two London restaurants are among the best in the world for 2025
With thousands and thousands of establishments to compete with, being named one of the best restaurants in London is an impressive feat in itself. So to be named one of the finest restaurants in the entire world (out of an estimated 15 million potential candidates), is pretty monumental. Every year, World's 50 Best Restaurants reveals its prestigious list of (guess what!) the 50 best restaurants on the planet, based on votes from more than 1000 industry experts. The 2025 ranking is being released later this month, but before that, World's Best has unveiled the restaurants ranked 51-100. And two London establishments were the only UK restaurants to make the cut. Mountain in Soho soared 20 places up from its ranking last year, coming in at number 74. Founded by chef Tomos Parry (the same guy behind Brat), Mountain was one of the city's most hyped restaurants when it launched in 2023. The judges called the menu at Mountain 'cutting edge and experimental', highlighting its 'spider crab omelette and beef sweetbreads sitting alongside mutton chops and the signature smoked potatoes'. London's second entry on the longlist sits at number 86: Shoreditch's two Michelin-star joint The Clove Club. The judges at 50 Best said: 'The Clove Club's interpretation of 'modern British' is refreshing and full of surprises, with produce from across the UK reinvented in creations that showcase natural flavours and playfully mingle with tradition.' Leonie Cooper, Time Out's food and drink editor, gave it a solid five stars when she visited last summer, lauding dishes like the 'soft nugget of pine-salt dusted buttermilk fried chicken served in a leafy wreath like some kind of pagan KFC' and the 'picture perfect sardine sashimi with tangy, ginger and chrysanthemum soy and a chaser of creamy bone broth on the side'. Last year, there were five restaurants repping London on the longlist. Places that didn't make a reappearance this year (so far) were Brat and Core by Clare Smyth. That means that they've either been promoted to the top 50, or that they've been bumped off the ranking altogether – only time will tell. Lyle's was also kicked off the list, but that's because it has now sadly closed. You can see the full 51-100 list here. The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 will be revealed in a ceremony on Thursday June 19. In the meantime, tuck into Time Out's indispensable guide to the very best places to eat in London and read why AJ Tracey and Big Zuu think 'London is becoming the food capital of the world'.
Time Out
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Salsify and FYN both claim spots on prestigious list
So here's a bit of a brainteaser which may require you to reach for a Panado or two... Salsify at the Roundhouse has just been named in 88th spot and FYN in 82nd place on The World's 50 Best Restaurants Top 100 list. The question you may be pondering now is, how do you make the 82nd and 88th spots on a top 50 list? Well, you see, this particular list highlights the 50 best restaurants globally as their flagship list, but then they also have a secondary extended list of the next best in the world - it's kind of a preview to the restaurants who are likely to have a go at cracking the top 50 one day. I told you that Panado would come in handy. The news broke on Thursday and to say that Salsify head chef Nina du Toit is happy would be an understatement. 'I am so proud of what we have accomplished, it has been a dream to be on the list, and it has been many years of consistent growth and hard work,' says Nina. Since opening its doors in 2018, Salsify has become known and celebrated for its insistence on the preservation of heritage; paying tribute to history, stories and ingredients while creating outstanding light, delicate dishes. FYN's Peter Tempelhoff shares the delight felt by du Toit, saying: 'To be recognised by the World's 50 Best for the fifth time is an extraordinary honour. This is a celebration of the whole team - from our kitchen and service brigades to our foragers, farmers, fishermen and ceramicists. FYN is the product of a deeply collaborative ecosystem, and this recognition is for everyone who plays apart in creating the FYN experience. We are very grateful.' Fun fact about FYN FYN is the only African establishment to be awarded the top-tier three-star rating from the Food Made Good Standard in 2025 - the global benchmark for ethical hospitality. Fun fact about Salsify Last year, Salsify erected an immersive ceiling installation of thousands of meticulously folded flowers made from old Salsify menus – dating back to the restaurant's opening in 2018 – symbolising both the evolution of the restaurant and its commitment to sustainability. Each flower tells a story of culinary creativity and the team's dedication to reducing waste and preserving the essence of what Salsify stands for.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Mumbai's Masque Ranked 68th On This Global List Of Best Restaurants For 2025
Mumbai's Masque has won yet another culinary accolade. It has been ranked 68th globally by a prestigious organisation. The World's 50 Best Restaurants just announced its extended list of establishments ranked from 51 to 100. Masque is the only Indian restaurant to be featured on it. The list includes restaurants in 37 cities across six continents. Masque is one of nine entries from Asia. Last year, it was a new entry on the same list, and it occupied the 78th position overall. Also Read: This South Indian Restaurant Has Been Ranked No. 1 In New York For 2025 The World's 50 Best noted, "Arguably India's most forward-thinking restaurant, Masque's raison d'etre is to show off the wealth of the country's produce, extracting maximum flavour from local ingredients in a 10-course tasting menu served in a stylish former Mumbai textile mill. With self-taught cook and entrepreneur Aditi Dugar at the helm, Masque has won a string of accolades since opening in 2016. After the departure of founding chef Prateek Sadhu in 2022, the culinary reins are in the skilled hands of Varun Totlani." Masque was ranked 19th on the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants for 2025, and it was thus named the best restaurant in India for this year. It has emerged as the top restaurant in the country multiple times, based on rankings by the same list. The other Indian entry on the Asia list for 2025 was Indian Accent Delhi at the 46th position. The Asia edition also has an extended list, which features several Indian restaurants this year. Click here to read more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants (@theworlds50best) While no restaurant located in India has made it to the 50 best list in recent times, Indian cuisine restaurants abroad have managed to do so. For instance, Gaggan in Bangkok and Tresind Studio in Dubai have frequently secured top positions. Here's The Extended List Of The World's Best Restaurants Ranked From 51 to 100 For 2025: 51. Alcalde, Guadalajara 52. Schloss Schauenstein, Furstenau 53. Den, Tokyo 54. El Chato, Bogota 55. La Colombe, Cape Town 56. Jordnaer, Copenhagen 57. Onjium, Seoul 58. Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin 59. Nobelhart & Schmutzig, Berlin 60. Pujol, Mexico City 61. Nuema, Quito 62. Willem Hiele, Oudenburg 63. Bozar, Brussels 64. Fu He Hui, Shanghai 65. Quique Dacosta, Denia 66. Saint Peter, Sydney 67. Arca, Tulum 68. Masque, Mumbai 69. Hisa Franko, Kobarid 70. Tuju, Sao Paulo 71. Sazenka, Tokyo 72. Chef Tam's Seasons, Macau 73. Tantris, Munich 74. Mountain, London 75. Mil, Cusco 76. Leo, Bogota 77. Le Doyenne, Saint-Vrain 78. Cocina Hermanos Torres, Barcelona 79. Coda, Berlin 80. SingleThread, Healdsburg 81. Oteque, Rio de Janeiro 82. Fyn, Cape Town 83. A Casa do Porco, Sao Paulo 84. Aponiente, El Puerto de Santa Maria 85. Txitxpa, Atxondo 86. The Clove Club, London 87. Mugaritz, San Sebastian 88. Salsify at the Roundhouse, Cape Town 89. Huniik, Merida 90. Le Bernardin, New York 91. Koan, Copenhagen 92. Al Gatto Verde, Modena 93. Burnt Ends, Singapore 94. Meet the Bund, Shanghai 95. Evvai, Sao Paulo 96. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco 97. Labyrinth, Singapore 98. Cesar, New York 99. Amisfield Restaurant, Queenstown 100. Neolokal, Istanbul The awards ceremony for the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 will take place on June 19 in Turin, Italy.
