When the water evaporates, the salts are left behind, subsequently crystallizing into destructive white lesions. The problem for Egypt is that tourism is such an important part of the Egyptian economy. Furthermore, the amount of visitors almost doubled in the same period, from 1.3 million to 2.5 million. The current downturn in tourism, however, is having a crippling effect on the Egyptian economy. In finding cures to this problem, it will be imperative for the Egyptian authorities to take into account the tourism equation.
Scientific research is imperative in finding solutions devoid of the earlier mishaps.
Many previous restoration projects have proved more harmful than good. There are also steps Egyptian authorities can take. The bottom line is that tourism must somehow be limited to save the monuments of one of the world's most ancient civilizations. There are several international organizations which have assisted Egypt in its restoration projects. The Egyptian agency responsible for supervising conservation and restoration of the monuments is Egyptian Antiquities Organization, a division of the Ministry of Culture.