Cairo Eye Explained

Cairo Eye
Native Name:عين القاهرة
Native Name Lang:ar
Alternate Names:Ain Cairo
Location:Cairo, Egypt
Location Town:Zamalek
Status:Under construction
Start Date:January 21st, 2021
Completion Date:Not completed
Owner:Hawaii Tourism
Cost:EGP 500 million ($32 million)
Floor Area:5000 square metres (54,000 sq ft)
Parking:500 vehicles
Building Type:Ferris wheel
Height:120 meters (390 ft)

Cairo Eye, also known as Ain Cairo is a ferris wheel under construction located on the banks of the Nile River in the Zamalek district of Cairo, Egypt.[1] [2]

It will be considered Cairo's first recreational and touristic observation wheel spanning over 5000m2 of land area and a height of 120m (390feet),[3] making it the largest ferris wheel in Africa and the fifth largest worldwide,[4] expected to attract around 2.5 million visitors a year.[5] [6]

In recent years, the adjacent city of Giza, home to the Sphinx and pyramids, has received the majority of tourism projects. From Giza's long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum to the new pyramids visitor center and the recently opened Sphinx International Airport, Egypt is betting big on Giza tourism and hopes the same for Cairo.[7]

In accordance with Egypt's 2030 Vision, Egypt aims to resuscitate its tourism sector with the new tourist attraction. As Egypt’s tourism authority anticipates that the wheel will certainly boost Egypt's economy, especially after the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.[8]

The project was set to be completed in 2022, but it seems to have been abandoned.

Facilities

Cairo Eye is placed near one of Cairo's major archaeological attractions, the Cairo Tower, and it aims to link both entertainment and cultural learning together, set to have an integrated recreational area established around the Ferris wheel to serve as a tourist destination.[9]

The wheel will have 48 total cabins with a panoramic 360 view of Cairo with a capacity of 6-8 passengers for each cabin, and will carry around 15,000 visitors a day.[10] The height of the wheel is 120m (390feet), offers a bird's-eye view of the city for up to 50km (30miles) which includes the views of downtown Cairo, the renowned Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx.[11] [12]

The Cairo Eye will also include services and facilities like retailers of international brands, fine dining restaurants, a food court, an entertainment and events area as well as a 1000m2 multi-purpose hall overlooking the Nile River.

As for the inevitable congestion and traffic jams, the project will be provided with a covered car parking area (two levels) with a capacity of 500 vehicles, 'Ain Cairo taxi services' and 'Ain Cairo free transport drop on/off buses' as well as river transportation.

Tickets to ride the Cairo Eye are expected to range between $15 and $22, but prices will be reviewed once the project is complete.

Construction

The beginning of construction on the Cairo Eye wheel was officially announced by the Governor of Cairo on January 21, 2021 and it comes to support the Egypt Vision 2030 strategy to boost tourism in Egypt and economic development launched by the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.[6] [13] The project is owned by Hawaii Tourism, which are in negotiations with 4 banks to finance 50% of the investment cost of the Cairo Eye project.[14] [15]

Cairo Eye was set to be completed and opened in 2022 at a cost of EGP 500 million ($32 million), providing 1,200 direct job opportunities and 4,000 indirect job opportunities.[16] [17]

Concerns

Location

Zamalek residents have raised concerns over the project’s potential impact on the already-crowded district and its infrastructure. In order to preserve the identity and entity of the district, while taking into account the preservation of all trees and palms in the area, the project has adopted a plan to achieve an increase in the total green areas of the project by 15%؜ to reach 7000m2 instead of the current 6100m2.[18] [19]

Even after Cairo Eye officials stated that the project will actually increase total green space by 15%. Some stakeholders, such as Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, suggest moving the attraction closer to Egypt's New Administrative Capital, an under-construction local designed to alleviate Cairo congestion.

Traffic

Cairo is notoriously gridlocked, and many residents and even government officials worry an attraction of this size could only worsen things.[20] Project leaders stated that they have studied traffic management and proposed solutions like the Cairo Eye Nile Taxi, a hop-on-hop-off bus, and a parking garage set to hold up to 500 cars.[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-01-21. Egypt To Launch The Largest Observation Wheel in Africa 'Cairo Eye' in 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210130074656/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/6/96679/Egypt-To-Launch-The-Largest-Observation-Wheel-in-Africa-%E2%80%98Cairo . 2021-01-30 . Egypt Today.
  2. News: 2021-01-21. مصر تطلق مشروع العجلة الدوارة "عين القاهرة" السياحي. ar. Egypt launches the "Cairo Eye" tourism project. Reuters.
  3. Web site: 22 January 2021. 'Cairo Eye' to be Largest Observation Wheel in Africa. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122082637/https://egyptianstreets.com/2021/01/22/cairo-eye-to-be-largest-observation-wheel-in-africa/ . 2021-01-22 . Egyptian Streets. en-US.
  4. Web site: 11 January 2021. Cairo Eye The Largest Observational Wheel In Africa. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123230627/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/6/96319/Cairo-Eye-The-Largest-Observational-Wheel-In-Africa . 2021-01-23 . Egypt Today.
  5. Web site: 2021-01-21. عجلة "عين القاهرة".. مشروع سياحي يستهدف 2.5 مليون زائر سنويا. The "Cairo Eye" wheel ... a tourism project that targets 2.5 million visitors annually. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121144007/https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/aswaq/companies/2021/01/21/%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AB%D9%85%D8%B1-500-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9- . 2021-01-21 . Al Arabiya. ar.
  6. Web site: 13 January 2021. Egypt to construct the Cairo Eye, Africa's largest Ferris wheel. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116140113/https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-to-construct-the-cairo-eye-africas-largest-ferris-wheel/ . 2021-01-16 . Egypt Independent. en-US.
  7. Web site: Africa's Largest Observation Wheel Will Make Its Debut in Egypt Next Year — and It Promises Views of the Famed Pyramids. 2021-03-06. Travel + Leisure. en.
  8. Web site: 2021-03-02. Cairo Eye: Egypt aims to build the largest tourist wheel in Africa. 2021-03-06. The South African. en-ZA.
  9. Web site: 2020-07-10. Egypt's world class tourism initiative 'Cairo Eye' to launch soon. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200714062844/https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypts-world-class-tourism-initiative-cairo-eye-to-launch-soon/ . 2020-07-14 . Egypt Independent. en-US.
  10. Web site: بارتفاع 120 مترا في قلب القاهرة.. 10 معلومات عن "Cairo Eye" أكبر عجلة دوارة في أفريقيا. With a height of 120 meters in the heart of Cairo ... 10 informations about "Cairo Eye", the largest ferris wheel in Africa. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210130074829/https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_egypt/details/2021/1/21/1955683/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9-120-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-10-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%86-cairo-eye-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7 . 2021-01-30 . Masrawy. ar.
  11. Web site: 2020-07-12. 'Cairo Eye': Egypt's Newest World-Class Tourism Initiative is Launching Soon. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200713080535/https://scoopempire.com/cairo-eye-egypts-newest-world-class-tourism-initiative-is-launching-soon/ . 2020-07-13 . Scoop Empire. en-US.
  12. Web site: Cairo Eye, Africa's largest observation wheel to debut in Egypt in 2022. 2021-03-06. Times of India Travel.
  13. Web site: Cairo Eye to be inaugurated in 2022, investments worth EGP 500 mln: Officials. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122092702/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/399366/Egypt/Politics-/Cairo-Eye-to-be-inaugurated-in-,-investments-worth.aspx . 2021-01-22 . Ahram Online. en.
  14. Web site: 2021-01-10. «هاواي» للسياحة تعتزم إطلاق مشروع «عين القاهرة» كأكبر عجلة ترفيهية بأفريقيا فى 2022. Hawaii Tourism intends to launch the "Cairo Eye" project as the largest entertainment wheel in Africa in 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210110174031/https://almalnews.com/%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%B2%D9%85-%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%8A/ . 2021-01-10 . 2021-01-22. Gareedat Al Mal. ar.
  15. Web site: 2021-01-21. "هاواي للسياحة" تتفاوض مع 4 بنوك لتمويل 50% من التكلفة الاستثمارية لمشروع "عين القاهرة". Hawaii Tourism is negotiating with 4 banks to finance 50% of the investment cost of the Cairo Eye project.. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121192200/https://amwalalghad.com/2021/01/21/%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B6-%D9%85%D8%B9-4-%D8%A8%D9%86%D9%88%D9%83-%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%88%D9%8A%D9%84/ . 2021-01-21 . Amwal Al Ghad. ar.
  16. Web site: محافظ القاهرة: افتتاح "Cairo eye" بتكلفة 500 مليون جنيه. Governor of Cairo: Opening of "Cairo eye" at a cost of 500 million pounds. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121214456/https://almalnews.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-cairo-eye-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A9-500-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88/ . 2021-01-21 . Al Mal News. ar.
  17. Web site: تدشين مشروع عين القاهرة باستثمارات 500 مليون جنيه. The launch of the Cairo Eye project with investments of 500 million pounds. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121155602/https://www.shorouknews.com/news/view.aspx?cdate=21012021&id=7f46e59e-6522-4533-bbcb-87d412fafe5b . 2021-01-21 . www.shorouknews.com. ar-eg.
  18. Web site: محافظ العاصمة: مشروع "عين القاهرة" مهم ويأتي متكاملًا مع ممشى مصر. The Governor of the Capital: The "Cairo Eye" project is important and comes integrated with the Egypt Walk. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210207132959/https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_egypt/details/2021/1/21/1956090/%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A3%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D9%85%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1 . 2021-02-07 . Masrawy. ar.
  19. Web site: 2021-01-21. تدشين مشروع عين القاهرة Cairo Eye باستثمارات 500 مليون جنيه. The launch of the Cairo Eye project, with investments of 500 million pounds. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128081830/https://www.youm7.com/story/2021/1/21/%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-Cairo-Eye-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AB%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-500-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%87/5168897 . 2021-01-28 . Youm 7. ar.
  20. Web site: 'Catastrophic': Outrage grows over Egypt's new tourist attraction.
  21. Web site: 2021-01-11. Cairo Eye The Largest Observational Wheel In Africa. 2021-03-06. EgyptToday.

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