Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had expected 2020 to be a year of success, particularly with the planned opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, a large complex bringing together artifacts representing the country's archaeological heritage. Then the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, keeping the world’s tourists at home.

Following the lead of many Egyptian artists who have turned to the internet to reach their audiences, On April 3, the ministry began to offer virtual tours to Egyptian museums and archaeological sites via its websites and social networking platforms. According to the ministry's statement, the tours are organized in cooperation with its partners from scientific and archaeological institutes.

The virtual tours feature 3D photos of archaeological sites with information in Arabic and English. The first virtual tour, organized in cooperation with the American Research Center in Cairo, explores Menna Tomb in Theban Necropolis, one of the most beautiful tombs of the Pharaonic nobles on Luxor’s West Bank. Others include the Queen Meresankh III chapel and the Red Monastery in Sohag governorate.

"The virtual tours target both [international] tourists and Egyptians. They serve the double purpose of promoting Egyptian tourism nationwide and increasing Egyptians' awareness of their own civilization. For instance, if some Egyptians cannot travel to Upper Egypt, we help them discover archaeological sites there through virtual tours," a spokesman from the media office of the Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry told Al-Monitor. "We closely monitor peoples' reactions and feedback. So far, they have been nothing but positive.”