The damp walls will eventually form salt crystals which will dislodge the paint. In addition pollution caused by the thousands of tourists a day is very detrimental to the monuments. In the end, there are no substitutes for the Sphinx, the Great Pyramids, or other important historical artifacts. The Egyptian government, however, is trying to market less popular tombs and other sites to ease the strain on the more famous ones. YES Ancient Egyptian treasures are revered in both Western and Arab cultures.
Westerners define their heritage with important contributions from Egypt.
Relevant Literature Book of Vital World Statistics. Economist Books, 1990. Darby, Joseph B. III, Esq. Egypt Turns to Pyramid Power. Tourism Takes its Toll on Sphinx.