Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, convened an extensive meeting to monitor the latest updates on the implementation of the CPS (Corporate Payment System), which aims to digitize payment and collection services for group tickets directed at tourism companies licensed by the ministry. Additionally, the meeting reviewed the advancements in the second phase of the 'Journey' platform, which is designed to organize school trips.
This meeting aligns with the state's direction towards expanding the application of cashless payment systems and is part of the Ministry's strategy for digital transformation. The ministry aims to accelerate the development of its various services by adopting advanced technological solutions, which contributes to enhancing operational efficiency and improving the quality of services provided at archaeological sites and museums, thereby boosting the competitiveness of the Egyptian tourist destination.
Details of the CPS Payment System
During the meeting, the operational mechanisms of the CPS system were reviewed, representing a qualitative leap in how tourism companies interact with the electronic ticket booking system. The system allows licensed tourism companies to purchase group tickets and pay for them electronically via direct bank transfers or using bank cards, through a fully secured system that operates around the clock.
The operational advantages of the system include reducing reliance on cash transactions, simplifying procedures, and enhancing transparency and governance. It also helps to reduce congestion at ticket sales outlets at archaeological sites and museums, thereby improving the visitor experience.
Background & Context
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is striving for a comprehensive digital transformation that supports the development of the tourism work environment and achieves integration among various system components. The minister emphasized the importance of swiftly completing all technical and operational modifications and conducting final tests for the system in preparation for its official launch in the near future.
The minister added that this step will enable tourism companies to manage booking and payment processes more efficiently, saving time and effort, and enhancing the quality of services provided, which positively impacts the tourists' experience and increases visitation rates to archaeological sites.
Impact & Consequences
Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, the minister's assistant for digital services, clarified that the development of the system came in response to the needs of tourism companies, considering the challenges they faced in the traditional system. The new system relies on the latest user experience standards by reducing booking and purchasing steps and providing a simplified and secure user interface.
The meeting also discussed the achievements made in the second phase of the 'Journey' platform, which aims to expand the service to include Al-Azhar schools, building on what was accomplished in the first phase of organizing free school trips for students of public schools. The second phase includes adding new features that enhance governance and organization mechanisms.
Regional Significance
Since its launch, the 'Journey' platform has achieved notable success, with over 1,300 schools conducting more than 6,500 school trips for over 300,000 students. The platform has contributed to organizing school visits and reducing congestion at archaeological sites, reflecting its role in raising archaeological and cultural awareness among youth.
At the end of the meeting, the importance of continued coordination and integration among all parties was emphasized to ensure the success of the application and achieve the desired goals.