Did Egypt make a mistake with the 2011 Revolution?

Given that Egypt’s travel and tourism industry has been suffering as one of the consequences of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, does Dr. Zahi Hawass, the former Egyptian Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs and former Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, think Egypt made a mistake? What does he think of the country’s current tourism minister? What would it take for Egypt Tourism to bounce back? These are some of the questions Dr. Hawass addressed during my interview with him which took place at his office in Cairo on November 16, 2013.

Today’s eTN 2.0 presentation is the continuation of my two-part interview with the former Egyptian antiquities minister. In today’s episode, Dr. Hawass reveals why he doesn’t want to return to work amid “petitions” for him to do so. He also discusses six “unique” Egyptian artifacts that he arduously has been trying to bring home to Egypt. This goal has been heavily documented in the media, as Dr. Hawass has been very vocal about his discontent over museums outside of Egypt showcasing them. In the below interview, Dr. Hawass says he wants the British Museum, which has the Rosetta Stone, and Berlin’s New Museum, which has The Bust of Nefertiti, to return the Egyptian artifacts because “their home should be Egypt.”

Dr. Hawass also mentions how an Egyptian political group called Tamarud is one reason why he doesn’t want his job back just yet. Even so, he is clearly passionate about the work he has done and reveals what it would take for him to go back to work. Does he have any regrets as head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities? Would he do anything different?

In the below eTN 2.0 episode, the former Egyptian official also reveals some of his recent discoveries and findings. This includes new revelations about the mysterious life and death of the boy king the world has come to know as King Tut. How did he die? Who are his parents? These questions are just a few of the things Dr. Hawass touched on in his new book, which he sheds more light on in the below eTN 2.0 episode.

With recap from last episode:

The first part of the two-part series went live on November 20, 2013. To view that episode, click on the video below:

Do you have a strong opinion about today’s travel and tourism affairs? Whether you want to Rant And/Or Roar (ROAR), eTN 2.0 would like to hear from you. Contact Nelson Alcantara via email at [email protected] for more details.