Egypt and Morocco Lead Africa’s Record Tourism Surge in 2025

When Jamal Younes Kilito, country manager for India at the Moroccan National Tourism Office, announced a 43% jump in Indian arrivals, the continent’s tourism boom was already in full swing. A few weeks later, Hossam Hazaa of the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers declared Egypt the "most variable tourism destination worldwide in 2025," underscoring how rapidly the market is shifting.

What began as a post‑pandemic rebound has transformed into a tourism boom that sees Egypt, Morocco, Mauritius, Tunisia, Namibia, Seychelles, Ghana and Zambia all posting double‑digit growth rates for 2024‑2025. According to the Travel and Tour World 2025 report, Morocco recorded 17.4 million visitors in 2024—a 20% rise over the previous year—leap‑frogging Egypt’s 15.7 million arrivals and claiming the title of Africa’s top destination.

Tourism Numbers Soar Across North Africa

Morocco’s surge is not a flash in the pan. Visitor numbers have climbed 33% above the 2019 pre‑pandemic baseline, a feat driven by aggressive market diversification and a laser focus on India, China and the Gulf. In India alone, the country welcomed 41,000 passport holders in 2024, up from 28,700 the year before. Egypt is keeping pace, with arrivals rising 15% year‑on‑year, bolstered by high‑spending tourists from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and a growing cohort of European heritage travellers.

East and Southern African markets are also adding fuel to the fire. Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have reported record safaris, while the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Seychelles have seen luxury‑focused cruise passengers double their spend per night.

What’s Driving the Surge?

Three forces converge to explain the upturn: infrastructure upgrades, digital innovation and targeted marketing campaigns. The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index lifted Egypt 22 places to 61st in 2024, reflecting massive investments in airport capacity, high‑speed rail links and upgraded coastal resorts.

Digital platforms are reshaping the visitor experience. A new Egyptian online portal now trims yacht‑visa processing from weeks to a mere 30 minutes, while extending permitted stays from a fortnight to three months. Lucien Klat, an entrepreneur pioneering the revival of the traditional dahabeya—shallow‑bottomed Nile sailing boats—has turned heritage vessels into high‑end floating hotels. His flagship, Sekhmet, launched in 2022, now hosts up to 30 luxury guests per night, blending history with modern comfort.

Egypt’s Strategic Push

Egypt’s government has rolled out a suite of campaigns aimed at different source markets. The "Living 365" initiative, launched in 2024, targets Gulf and Arab states, encouraging longer stays through bundled cultural tours and desert‑camp experiences. Earlier, the 2022 "Follow the Sun" campaign reached half a billion eyes worldwide, emphasizing Egypt’s year‑round sunshine and diverse landscapes—from the Red Sea reefs to the Siwa Oasis.

Visa policy changes also play a pivotal role. In a landmark move, Egypt’s embassy in Rabat announced a visa‑on‑arrival scheme for Moroccan citizens, slashing paperwork and signaling a diplomatic push to deepen bilateral tourism flows.

Marketing-wise, Egypt participated in 33 international tourism fairs between 2023 and 2024 and organized 80 influencer‑led familiarisation trips, driving a measurable surge in social‑media mentions and search queries for Egyptian destinations.

Morocco’s Market Moves

Meanwhile, Morocco has concentrated on diversifying its visitor base beyond traditional European markets. The Moroccan National Tourism Office, under Kilito’s leadership, has opened new offices in Mumbai and Bangalore, offering tailored itineraries that showcase Morocco’s UNESCO‑listed medinas, desert‑star gazing experiences and emerging wine‑tourism routes in the Atlas foothills.

Infrastructure upgrades—such as the high‑speed TGV link between Casablanca and Marrakesh—have cut travel times dramatically, making multi‑city trips more feasible for short‑stay tourists. The government also introduced a new “digital nomad visa” that allows remote workers to stay for up to a year, a move that aligns with the global rise of work‑from‑anywhere lifestyles.

Implications for the Continent

The collective growth of these African destinations challenges the outdated perception of the continent as a single‑destination market. Instead, travelers now view Africa as a mosaic of experiences—each country offering a distinct story, whether it’s the Nile’s ancient allure, Morocco’s Moorish architecture, or Zambia’s Victoria Falls mist.

Economically, the tourism boom is generating jobs at every level—from high‑end yacht captains to local market vendors. The International Labour Organization estimates that each 1% rise in tourist arrivals can create up to 15,000 new jobs across the region, a critical factor for economies still recovering from COVID‑19 disruptions.

Environmentalists, however, warn that unchecked growth could strain fragile ecosystems, especially in coastal and desert areas. Both Egypt and Morocco have pledged to adopt greener certifications for hotels and to expand protected marine zones, signalling an awareness that sustainable tourism must accompany expansion.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead to 2025, industry insiders expect the momentum to hold, with the World Travel & Tourism Council projecting a 7% global increase in international arrivals. For Africa, the focus will likely sharpen on seamless digital entry systems, climate‑smart infrastructure, and curated cultural trails that keep visitors engaged beyond the first week of their trip.

Travel agents and tour operators are already re‑packaging itineraries to offer cross‑border experiences—imagine a week in Cairo, followed by a desert trek in Morocco, and a safari finale in Zambia. If demand continues on this trajectory, the continent could well become the world’s next tourism heavyweight.