Saint Catherine’s Monastery: The transformation project to revamp the area for millions of tourists – What Egyptian media reveal

The Context of Recent Developments

The caller tribunal determination concerning Saint Catherine’s Monastery is nary coincidence. It is indirectly linked to definite circles wrong Egypt seeking to change the site’s quality and make it into a salient halfway for tourism. Despite reassurances from the Egyptian authorities that the monastery’s spiritual integrity volition stay unaffected, concerns persist, chiefly owed to the unclear ownership presumption of the site.

Nevertheless, this tribunal ruling is seen arsenic portion of the broader “Great Transformation” task — a broad tourism improvement program targeting spiritual, cultural, and ecological tourism. Saint Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai are among the main attractions envisioned to payment from this initiative.

Investment and Strategic Goals

The full concern is estimated astatine astir $320 million. Authorities stress that the task aligns with UNESCO standards, arsenic the country has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. The Egyptian authorities aims to pull up to 30 cardinal tourists by 2028, promising important economical benefits.

Project Components and Progress

Launched successful July 2020, the task is present astir 90% complete, according to Egyptian media reports. The improvement includes eco-tourism accommodations specified arsenic a ample edifice with panoramic views of Mount Sinai, eco-friendly hotels, and accepted guesthouses designed successful harmony with section architecture.

An important diagnostic is the planned “Square of Peace,” which volition big a museum, league center, open-air theater, and spaces dedicated to arts and culture.

In Zeituuna, authorities program to make a caller residential country comprising 21 edifice complexes and 546 caller homes. Additionally, efforts are underway to reconstruct and heighten the aged town, make commercialized shops, and rehabilitate historical buildings and accepted villages.

Specific Plans for the Monastery

Special provisions are included for the monastery itself. The “Great Transformation” envisions constructing a caller visitant halfway astatine the Sacred Valley’s square, serving arsenic a reception and guidance constituent for tourists. This halfway volition connection booking offices, cafes, and a planetarium featuring 3D films illustrating the spiritual value of the region.

Transportation improvements are besides planned. Electric vehicles and pedestrian pathways are expected to facilitate entree and trim biology impact.

Infrastructure and Environmental Considerations

Beyond edifice construction, important upgrades to infrastructure are proposed. The planetary airdrome volition beryllium expanded to accommodate commercialized flights, improving accessibility for visitors from astir the world.

Environmental preservation is simply a cardinal facet of the project. Efforts volition absorption connected maintaining the earthy scenery and taste heritage. Plans see reusing underground h2o resources, implementing flood extortion measures, and integrating accepted Bedouin architecture and taste elements into caller residential and commercial developments.

The “Great Transformation” task reflects Egypt’s strategical imaginativeness to presumption Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery arsenic a large planetary tourer destination, blending taste practice with ecological and spiritual tourism. While the inaugural promises economical maturation and accrued planetary visibility, it besides emphasizes the value of preserving the site’s unsocial spiritual and taste identity.