Marrakech – With 19.8 million tourist arrivals in 2025, Morocco has once again claimed the top spot as Africa’s leading tourism destination, edging past Egypt’s 19 million visitors and extending its continental lead for a second year running.
The North African kingdom achieved a 14% increase in tourist arrivals from 2024, while Egypt saw a 21% rise in visitor numbers. Morocco welcomed 17.4 million tourists in 2024, surpassing Egypt’s record of 15.7 million. Despite Egypt’s higher growth rate, Morocco maintained its edge as the continent’s most-visited country.
Morocco’s tourism ministry described the achievement as “historic,” with revenues exceeding $13 billion, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. The sector now contributes approximately 8% to Morocco’s $178 billion economy.
The kingdom’s visitor numbers have reached 50% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor attributed the growth to a “deep transformation” of the country’s tourism offerings.
Authorities credited the growth to strengthening air connections to other countries, improving services, and diversifying tourism offerings. Enhanced air connectivity played a crucial role in Morocco’s success.
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) expanded its European routes and received additional aircraft as part of plans to quadruple its fleet to 200 planes by 2038. The carrier launched direct flights to the United States and China, while Ryanair expanded low-cost services from Europe.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Morocco from December 21 to January 18, provided an additional boost. Tens of thousands of football fans from across the continent and the African diaspora traveled to Morocco for the flagship tournament.
Morocco’s tourism industry proved notably resilient, weathering challenges without losing strategic traction. The sector remained largely unaffected by the devastating El Haouz earthquake that struck near Marrakech in September 2023. The city’s iconic central square, Jamaa el Fna, is currently undergoing major renovation.
Egypt’s tourism sector held steady despite profound regional shocks, including the Israeli genocide in Gaza, which has reshaped the Middle East’s security and perception landscape for two consecutive years.
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The newly opened $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids of Giza has attracted large crowds since its November launch with a glitzy ceremony. Red Sea resorts in Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada continue to thrive, while new developments on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast are building the area’s profile as an international destination.
Cairo itself is undergoing a facelift with flashy new hotels and restoration of its historic downtown and the area around its 12th-century citadel. The country remains famous for its Nile cruises.
Tourism Minister Sherif Fathi announced Egypt’s target of attracting more than 20 million visitors in 2026, noting that hotel occupancy has reached 100% in some locations.
Both countries have consistently outperformed sub-Saharan African destinations, according to UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council data. No global authority tracks tourist arrivals across every African nation.
Morocco aims to attract 26 million annual tourists by 2030, when it will co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Egypt targets 30 million annual arrivals by 2031.
The tourism boom represents a significant recovery for both nations following the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector serves as a key employer and crucial source of foreign currency for both economies, having firmly rebounded while shrugging off knock-on effects from regional conflicts.
