The travel industry is changing. Many tourists want to immerse themselves in the cultures of their destinations and are seeking experiential encounters with local residents. The USAID-funded Integrated Management of Cultural Tourism (IMCT) activity is endeavoring to create more authentic experiences for people traveling to Egypt.
With a focus on Historic Cairo and Luxor Governorate, IMCT is laying the foundation for a more sustainable approach to cultural tourism management, strategically positioning Egypt as a desirable destination for years to come. To reach this goal, IMCT is collaborating with the Government of Egypt at national and local levels to streamline legislative and regulatory environments and develop public-private partnership models to help stimulate private sector investment in cultural tourism. These models encourage concession agreements between the public and private sectors, supporting investments in heritage sites and nearby businesses such as cultural destinations, boutique hotels, restaurants and cafes.
The project is facilitating capacity-building workshops for local businesses (including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) and residents (particularly women and young people) to enhance their skills in crafts, communications, digital marketing and storytelling. It is also connecting local business owners with microfinance institutions to help them develop higher-value tourism products and promote cultural tourism experiences. By integrating the public and private sectors and engaging local communities in enhancing travelers’ experiences, IMCT is strengthening Egypt’s tourism industry, is boosting local socioeconomic development and ultimately will improve the quality of life for those living in Historic Cairo and Luxor Governorate.
The project is focusing on these primary activities:
- Consolidating and reinforcing the Government of Egypt’s efforts to create an enabling environment for investment in cultural tourism.
- Selecting financially sustainable cultural heritage sites for rehabilitation.
- Supporting the development of higher-value tourism products and services at targeted destinations.
- Building capacity for enhanced cultural tourism in targeted destinations.