- Morocco saw 8.9 million visitors in six months
- Saudi tourism revenue jumped 102% over 2019
- Egypt crossed 15.7 million tourists in 2024
Tourism is booming across North Africa and the Middle East, with Morocco and six other nations posting record-breaking numbers in early 2025.
According to a report featured by Eko Hot Blog, strategic investments, simplified travel policies, and increased international demand are powering a major upswing in arrivals and revenue across the region.
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Tourism in North Africa and the Middle East is enjoying a massive lift in 2025, as new data shows countries like Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, South Africa, Qatar, and Tunisia experiencing historic growth in visitor numbers and revenue.
As Eko Hot Blog reports, Morocco led the charge in Africa with 8.9 million tourist arrivals by mid-year and 54 billion dirhams in revenue an almost 10% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth reflects the country’s improved infrastructure, global campaigns, and upgraded services aimed at attracting more visitors.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, emerged as the global leader in tourism revenue growth, boasting a 102% increase in international arrivals in Q1 2025 versus pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Tourism revenue soared to SAR 49.4 billion (approx. $13.16 billion), fueled by Vision 2030 projects and expanded connectivity.
Egypt also recorded strong performance. The country surpassed 15.7 million tourist arrivals in 2024, and early indicators suggest that 2025 may break that record. Tunisia’s performance followed closely, with a sharp rise in both visitors and tourism earnings, signaling a full recovery beyond pandemic-era slumps.
Qatar and the UAE continue to benefit from their major event legacies and airline connections. South Africa also reported growth in tourism’s GDP contribution, driven by renewed global interest and ease of travel.
Across the board, governments have invested heavily in travel infrastructure, digital visas, and international partnerships to reposition their destinations in the post-pandemic world.
The first half of 2025 shows that tourism is not just back it’s thriving. With such momentum, experts predict even greater milestones before the year ends. The region’s comeback is no longer in progress it’s already happening.
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