Egypt announces reopening of historic Saint Catherine's valleys to tourism after a decade of closure

South Sinai Governorate in Egypt announced its decision to reopen a number of historic valleys in the Saint Catherine area to visitors after a 10-year hiatus, as part of efforts to enhance religious, environmental, and safari tourism.

Major General Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai, stated that "the decision includes opening all valleys to tourists, Egyptians, and foreigners for safari and camping purposes to boost tourism development rates". Among the prominent valleys covered by the decision are: Wadi Sheikh Awad, Talah, Zaghra, Tala'a, Jebel Al-Arbaeen, and Al-Sabaiya.

This announcement is in line with the "Great Transfiguration" project adopted by the Egyptian government to transform Saint Catherine into a global destination for environmental, religious, and safari tourism, attracting visitors from around the world.

Saint Catherine is one of the most prominent religious destinations in Egypt, housing sites of historical and religious significance, most notably Mount Sinai, believed to be the place where God appeared to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). The region is also known for Mount Saint Catherine, which rises over 2600 meters above sea level, ranking among the highest peaks in the area.

The "Great Transfiguration" project is being implemented at a cost of approximately 4 billion Egyptian pounds, aiming to attract millions of tourists annually, reflecting Egyptian efforts to revitalize the tourism sector and maximize the utilization of Sinai's unique natural and religious assets.