Morocco Emerges as Africa’s Top Tourist Destination, Attracting 17.4 Million Visitors in 2024

Morocco has officially surpassed Egypt to claim the top spot as Africa’s most visited destination in 2024, welcoming a record-breaking 17.4 million visitors. This significant milestone marks a remarkable achievement for the country’s tourism industry.

Egypt, the continent’s former tourism leader, also experienced a strong year with 15.7 million arrivals, setting a new national record. Morocco’s success reflects a remarkable 20% increase compared to 2023 and a substantial 33% growth over its pre-pandemic peak of 13 million visitors in 2019. This achievement propels Morocco two years ahead of its projected tourism growth trajectory.

“These remarkable figures represent a major step towards our goal of positioning Morocco among the top 15 global tourist destinations,” Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor in a press release.

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Africa welcomed 6% more tourists in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. Notably, North Africa and Central America demonstrated the strongest growth, with 18% and 16% increases in international arrivals, respectively. To enter the top 15 global tourist destinations, Morocco would need to surpass Japan, which welcomed 25 million international visitors in 2023.

Key factors driving Morocco’s tourism growth include the introduction of 120 new airline routes in 2024, highlighted by the launch of a direct flight from Newark to Marrakesh on United Airlines. The influx of luxury hotels from renowned brands like Four Seasons and Nobu has further enhanced the country’s appeal to discerning travelers.

Morocco’s success in 2024 extended beyond visitor numbers, with tourism revenue reaching a record high of $11 billion, surpassing the $10.5 billion generated in 2023.

The future of Morocco’s tourism industry appears exceptionally promising. The country is poised to host the Africa Cup of Nations from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, an event anticipated to attract a significant influx of soccer enthusiasts from around the globe.

Looking further ahead, Morocco’s co-hosting of the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal in 2030 is projected to propel tourism numbers to unprecedented heights, with an ambitious target of 26 million visitors, representing a 50% increase from current figures.