For USD 1.5 million (EGP 32 million), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) launched the second phase of the Cultural Heritage Tourism program which aims to preserve cultural heritage in Luxor and Sohag. This new phase, which brings the total U.S. investments in the program to more than USD 4.15 million (EGP 128 million), aims to train Egyptian antiquities professionals, and provide employment opportunities for those working in historic and touristic sites. Dedicated to improving the quality of tourists’ experience, the Cultural Heritage Tourism previously restored two tombs in Dra Abu El Naga, provided jobs to 400 Egyptian antiquities workers, and trained 76 Egyptian conservators. “This new funding demonstrates our commitment to protecting Egypt’s cultural heritage assets, while also providing meaningful employment and training opportunities to Egyptian antiquities professionals,” USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed said in a statement. Through funding, fieldwork, and field schools, the ARCE has promoted education, training, and conservation initiatives in Egypt. The organization recently launched ‘The Valley of the Queens’ brand new section at the website of the Theban Mapping Project, which is dedicated to archiving…
USAID and American Research Center in Egypt Announce USD 1.5 Million Program for Cultural Heritage Conservation
May 9, 2023
