We already knew that the blockbuster Discovering Ancient Egypt was National Museum of Australia’s most popular show, but now it has figures showing the exhibition generated $27.7 million in total economic stimulus for the ACT.

Museum director Katherine McMahon declared herself “absolutely delighted with how well received it has been with locals, and interstate and international visitors”.

Discovering Ancient Egypt, she said, had attracted a total of 208,900 visits over 10 months. More than half of visitors, 53 per cent, had been from interstate with three per cent from overseas and 34 per cent, were first-time visitors to the NMA.

National Museum senior curator Craig Middleton said the popularity of Discovering Ancient Egypt showed just how strong people’s fascination with ancient Egypt is today.

Originally developed by the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities, ours was one of three exhibitions across Australia, with the others at the WA and Queensland Museums.

The National Museum of Australia’s next blockbuster, Pompeii, opens on December 13.