The tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of King Seti I in the Valley of the Kings have been closed for restoration
Egyptian antiquities officials have decided to re-open the tombs of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and King Seti I in the Valley of the Kings, both of which have been closed for several years.
The tombs in Luxor will re-open in a month's time, and tickets will cost EGP 1,000 (approx. $113).The number of visitors is to be limited to around 100 to 150 people a day.
“This decision was taken in an attempt to attract more tourists to the valleys and Luxor after the decline of tourism that hit Egypt following the January [2011] revolution,” Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany told Ahram Online.
Both tombs had been closed for restoration, required by the increase in humidity caused by visitors.
El-Enany also said that, at a Wednesday meeting of the Supreme Council of Antiquities which he chairs, it was decided that the ministry would be provided with more funds, as it is suffering financially due to the lack of tourism.
It was also decided that the rents of cafeterias and bookshops at museums and archaeological sites would be reduced.
“This decision would enable all shops and cafeterias owners to reopen them after five years of closing,” El-Enany said, adding that in the aftermath of the revolution the owners of these shops were not able to pay the rent and they had to close their enterprises.
The chairman board also approved a 75 percent reduction on all books published by the ministry, in order to increase archaeological awareness among Egyptians.
During the month of Ramadan, the Textile Museum in Al-Muizz Street in medieval Cairo is to be open at night.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/222595.aspx
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