The General Syndicate of Tourist Guides issued an important clarification regarding the Supreme Council of Antiquities’ decision to set visits to Edfu Temple at 5 a.m. This decision was reportedly published based on a “circular letter” issued by the Tourism Companies Chamber, following unilateral deliberations with the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Tourist Guides Clarify the Truth About the Decision for Dawn Visits to Edfu Temple

The Syndicate confirmed in its statement that it was not aware of the decision at all and did not receive any official notification indicating its issuance or even its potential suspension. It emphasized that the Syndicate’s opinion was not sought before the decision to modify visiting hours was made, something it would have inevitably objected to for obvious logistical and tourism-related reasons.

The Syndicate explained that it had submitted proposals several months ago to adjust visiting hours during the upcoming Ramadan month, including unifying visitation schedules between the north and south of the country, as well as modifying the departure times for trips to visit Abu Simbel Temple. These proposals were presented orally to the relevant authorities, and only the security authorities approved them. To date, the Syndicate has not received any official feedback from the Tourism Companies Chamber or the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The Syndicate affirmed that this statement is made to clarify the facts for the public and tourism sector workers, and out of a commitment to institutional coordination and respect for professional roles concerning decisions that impact tourism work.

Edfu Temple

The Temple of Edfu, located in Upper Egypt, is one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples. Dedicated to the falcon god Horus, it was constructed during the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC on the site of an earlier temple. Its massive pylons, grand courtyard, and detailed reliefs provide invaluable insight into Ptolemaic-era religion, mythology, and temple architecture.

Supreme Council of Antiquities

The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) is Egypt’s government body responsible for the protection, conservation, and regulation of all archaeological excavations and heritage sites across the country. It was founded in 1859 as the “Service des Antiquités” under French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, making it one of the world’s oldest national heritage organizations. Today, it operates under the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, managing iconic sites like the Giza Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum.

Tourism Companies Chamber

The Tourism Companies Chamber is a professional association or regulatory body that represents and oversees tourism-related businesses within a specific country or region. Historically, such chambers were established to standardize services, advocate for the industry’s interests, and promote sustainable tourism development, often in response to the sector’s growing economic importance. It serves as a central hub for collaboration, policy input, and maintaining professional standards among tour operators, travel agencies, and other tourism enterprises.

General Syndicate of Tourist Guides

The General Syndicate of Tourist Guides is a professional association in Egypt, established to regulate and represent licensed tourist guides. It was founded to ensure high standards in the tourism industry, particularly following the growth of mass tourism in the latter half of the 20th century. The syndicate plays a key role in training guides, protecting cultural heritage, and providing official accreditation for guiding at Egypt’s historic sites.

Abu Simbel Temple

The Abu Simbel Temple is a massive rock-cut temple complex in southern Egypt, built by Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh and to project his power to the Nubian region. Its most famous feature is the four colossal seated statues of Ramesses II guarding the entrance. In a monumental 20th-century engineering feat, the entire temple was relocated piece by piece in the 1960s to save it from being submerged by the rising waters of Lake Nasser created by the Aswan High Dam.