Morocco surpasses Egypt, Nigeria and others to earn $11 billion from tourism in 2024.
Morocco surpasses Egypt, Nigeria and others to earn $11 billion from tourism in 2024
Morocco has become Africa's leading tourist destination, generating a record $11 billion in tourism revenue in 2024 and welcoming 17.4 million visitors.
According to the country's Ministry of Tourism, this establishes its position as the continent's leading tourist hub, surpassing Egypt, which recorded 15.7 million arrivals in the same period.
The number of visitors to the North African nation in 2024 showed a 20% increase from 2023 and a 33% increase from its pre-pandemic levels in 2019, when it welcomed 13 million tourists. This growth puts Morocco two years ahead of its tourism targets, further strengthening its reputation as a leading tourist destination in Africa.
The finding comes just a year after a powerful earthquake struck the High Atlas near Marrakech, its capital, disrupting several sectors, including tourism. However, the country's rapid recovery efforts, coupled with targeted marketing campaigns, have paid off.
What you need to know
Morocco and Egypt continue to dominate the African tourism landscape, regularly surpassing sub-Saharan countries such as South Africa and Kenya in terms of visitor numbers and revenue.
Although Egypt earned $14.1 billion in 2024, Morocco's steady growth and diversification of its tourism offerings set it apart.
One of the main drivers of this success has been expanding connectivity.
In 2024, Morocco launched 120 new airlines, including United Airlines' direct flights from Newark to Marrakech.