Egypt to spend $51m to renovate Giza pyramids The UNESCO World Heritage site has long been criticised for poor management, pushy vendors, overcrowding and animal cruelty, the Daily Express reports.
Orascom Pyramids Entertainment Services will be responsible for the renovation. Plans include restoring the tombs, launching an online ticketing system and upgrading the visitor centre. Changes have already begun: private cars and tour buses have been removed from the site. Tourists will now travel to the Giza plateau on 45 electric buses running every five minutes from the Fayoum Highway. The old access at the Marriott Mena House is closed.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently exposed cases of animal cruelty in Giza. “PETA has documented horses and camels being routinely beaten, kicked, whipped and starved at the pyramids. The animals are literally driven to death and then thrown out like trash outside the gates. “The Pyramids of Giza should symbolize the beauty and history of Egypt, not the uncontrolled cruelty to animals. The Egyptian government must take action to remove these suffering animals from Giza,” said Jason Baker, PETA Asia Vice President.
