Smart Tour Guide Licences Linked to Museum Gates Debut in Egypt
The first batch of NFC-enabled permits is designed to speed up entry and combat forgery.
The first batch of secured smart licences for tour guides has been issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, introducing a system that links permits directly to electronic gates at museums and archaeological sites.
According to the ministry, the move forms part of its broader digital transformation strategy and ongoing efforts to modernise services at heritage sites through the use of technology.
Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies Affairs Samia Sami said the new licences feature an updated design and are intended to strengthen identity verification while reducing forgery attempts. She added that the system will enhance oversight and help ensure tourism services are delivered in line with established quality standards.
Sami said the first batch of licences has already been completed, with the remaining permits being finalised and distributed according to a fixed timetable.
Assistant Minister for Digital Services Mohamed Shabaan said the licences rely on near field communication (NFC) technology, enabling them to connect directly with electronic gates at museums and archaeological sites.
The permits function both as official licences and electronic access cards, allowing guides to pass through entry points more efficiently. According to Shabaan, the system enables gates to instantly verify licence validity and distinguish authentic permits from counterfeit ones.
