Morocco becomes the king of tourism in Africa 

18-02-25

Morocco has achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by becoming Africa's leading tourism destination, overtaking Egypt for the first time. With an impressive record of 17.4 million visitors throughout the year, the country has not only consolidated its position in the international market, but also exceeded its own targets, reaching ahead of schedule the projected 2026 target. This growth is the reflection of a well-defined strategy, which combines strong promotion of the destination, infrastructure improvement and diversification of its tourism offer.

The increase in visitors has been 20% compared to 2023 and a remarkable 35% compared to 2019, the pre-pandemic year taken as a benchmark in the tourism industry. These numbers have propelled Morocco to displace Egypt, which also recorded a record year with 15.7 million visitors in 2024, but failed to remain at the top of the continental ranking.

Morocco's rise as Africa's tourism leader responds to a combination of factors. One of the key aspects has been the improvement in air connectivity, with the introduction of 120 new international routes during 2024, which has facilitated access for travelers from Europe, the Americas and Asia. Airlines such as Royal Air Maroc have expanded their operations, while new alliances with low-cost carriers have been established to increase the destination's accessibility.