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Cairo to turn 15th century sultan's caravansary into heritage hotel to boost tourism

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced Oct. 24 that it will convert the 15th century Wakala al-Sultan Qaytbay into a heritage hotel after its restoration.
Egyptian dancers perform the Tanoura during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at el-Ghuri culture Palace in Cairo on May 22, 2018. (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI / AFP)        (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced Oct. 24 that it will convert the 15th century Wakala (caravansary or hostel for merchants) of Al-Sultan Qaytbay, which was established during the Mamluk era in 1481, into a heritage hotel after being restored and rehabilitated.

The project, which is being implemented by the Antiquities Ministry's General Administration of Historic Cairo, was established in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, which funded the project at a total cost of 100 million Egyptian pounds ($6.4 million), according to a press statement by Mahmoud Abdel Baset, director general of the Historic Cairo Development Project.

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