From Samarkand to pyramids: spiritual and cultural tourism boosts Egyptian-Uzbek relations

Relations between Egypt and the Republic of Uzbekistan are witnessing a remarkable surge in the tourism sector, driven by the strong political will of both nations' leaderships and a forward-looking vision to enhance cooperation in cultural, archaeological, and tourism fields. During a recent official visit to Cairo by Gayana Umerova, Head of the Creative Economy and Tourism Department at the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, an agreement was reached to significantly advance tourism and archaeological cooperation between the two countries.

Partnership in cultural and archaeological tourism

During a meeting between Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi Attia, and Gayana Umerova, discussions focused on ways to enhance cooperation in the field of archaeology – specifically regarding museums and the recovery of antiquities that had been illicitly removed from the country.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of organising a temporary exhibition of Egyptian antiquities in Uzbekistan, a move that would help foster cultural exchange between the two nations.

Minister Sherif Fathi emphasised the deep ties of friendship uniting Egypt and Uzbekistan. He noted his meeting last October with the head of the Uzbek tourism authority – held on the sidelines of the World Tourism Forum’s Annual Meeting in Brussels – where they discussed mechanisms to boost joint cooperation and increase reciprocal tourism.

Transferring Egyptian expertise to Uzbekistan

Sherif Fathi highlighted the international archaeological exhibitions organised by the ministry, which have achieved great success in showcasing ancient Egyptian civilisation.

The Minister welcomed the enhancement of technical cooperation and the exchange of expertise, affirming the ministry's readiness to share its tourism-related experience with the Uzbek side.

He also emphasised that Egypt would spare no effort in taking all legal and diplomatic measures to recover any artefacts that had been illicitly removed from the country.

Political and diplomatic momentum supporting tourism

Egyptian-Uzbek relations are grounded in mutual respect, trust, and aligned interests and have now entered a new phase of comprehensive strategic partnership.

High-level visits exchanged between the two heads of state – Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Shavkat Mirziyoyev – have resulted in the signing of various memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements that support development trajectories and strengthen bilateral relations.

At a recent event organised by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Cairo and titled "Egypt–Uzbekistan: A Dialogue of Civilisations and Heritage", the Minister emphasised that the ties between the two peoples predate modern diplomatic relations, rooted in the historical exchange of scholars, manuscripts, knowledge, and sciences.

A prosperous future for mutual tourism

Gayana Umerova expressed her country's aspiration to increase the number of tourists travelling between the two nations in the coming period.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Center for Islamic Civilisation in Tashkent, explained that relations between Cairo and Tashkent have witnessed significant development in recent years, reaching an entirely new level; cooperation in the tourism sector is experiencing continuous growth year after year.

Egyptian-Uzbek relations in the field of tourism represent more than just an economic partnership; they constitute a civilisational dialogue that bridges the ancient civilisation of the Nile and the Islamic civilisation of Transoxiana. This partnership lays the foundation for a prosperous future for both peoples and fosters stability, development, and intercultural dialogue across Central Asia and the Middle East.