Morocco surpasses Egypt as Africa’s top tourist destination in 2024

Morocco has unseated Egypt as the most visited country in Africa. In 2024, Morocco attracted 17.4 million visitors, a 20% increase from the previous year, compared to Egypt’s 15.7 million, according toBloomberg.

“These remarkable figures represent a significant step toward our goal of placing Morocco among the world’s top 15 tourist destinations,” said Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor in a statement.

Although Morocco welcomed more visitors, Egypt outperformed in tourism revenue, generating $14 billion in 2024 compared to Morocco’s $11 billion.

Tourism Minister Ammor credited Morocco’s growth to the launch of 120 new airline routes, including a direct flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Marrakesh via United Airlines. The opening of luxury hotels by renowned brands like The Four Seasons and Nobu also enhanced Morocco’s appeal to affluent travelers.

Morocco is investing heavily in infrastructure and its hospitality sector as it prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. The country has set an ambitious goal of attracting 26 million visitors by that year.