Politician demands end to Grand Egyptian Museum ticketing system that leaves locals in 'secondary category'

"An Egyptian lawmaker has called for the ticketing system at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo to be overhauled, claiming that the current approach places Egyptian citizens in a "secondary category". Speaking on Friday, GEM's chief executive Ahmed Ghoneim confirmed that the museum had exceeded its daily limit of 20,000 tickets, instead selling 27,000. Following speculation online, he confirmed that the museum does allocate tickets separately to both Egyptians and foreigners, but said the ratio would never exceed 60% and 40% in either direction."

"I have no problem at all that a foreign tourist pays for a more expensive ticket, and with hard currency, which is normal and exists in most countries of the world. But in all of the world [there] is not a single country that says to its citizens: 'Sorry, there is no place for Egyptians, we have finished your share!'"

A member of parliament has demanded an overhaul of the Grand Egyptian Museum ticketing system, arguing that Egyptians are being treated as a secondary category. GEM's chief executive Ahmed Ghoneim confirmed the museum sold 27,000 tickets despite a stated daily limit of 20,000. The museum allocates tickets separately for Egyptians and foreigners and says the allocation ratio will not exceed 60/40 in either direction. MP Freddy Elbaiady submitted a formal request on 16 November to remove the quota and argued that citizens should not be denied access while tourists pay higher prices. GEM announced pre-booking with time slots and online booking starting 1 December.

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