Egypt wins Wanderlust readers' Gold as the most desirable country for culture

Egypt has been voted the most desirable country in the world for culture and heritage by readers of Wanderlust, the British travel magazine. The country took the Gold Award in that category at the 25th Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, finishing ahead of several of the world's big tourism names, Daily News Egypt reported on 8 November.

The awards are decided by the magazine's readers rather than a judging panel, which makes them a measure of where travellers in one of Egypt's key source markets want to go next. The ceremony was held at the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London, in front of about 500 people from the travel industry. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, who founded the sustainable travel initiative Travalyst, gave the keynote speech on responsible tourism.

Ahmed Yousry, chief executive of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, collected the award. He said it strengthens Egypt's standing among travellers who plan trips around culture, and that recognitions of this kind support the country's campaigns aimed at both first-time and returning visitors. Sherif Fathy, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said the award reflects Egypt's heritage, museums and archaeological sites, and the restoration work under way at many of them.

It is the second London prize for Egypt's tourism in a week. At World Travel Market, from 3 to 5 November, Egypt's pavilion won Best Stand Design and Best Stand Activation, while the "Unmatched Diversity" campaign ran on the city's big screens during the fair.

For people in Cairo, the practical side is a busy season at the sites visitors come for. Winter is high season at the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the city's old museums, so the quieter hours are early on weekday mornings. Book timed tickets online where a site offers them, and check opening hours on the official pages before you go, since hours and prices can change during the season.