Morocco and Egypt Smash Tourism Records, Top Africa’s Visitor Charts

As we move into early 2026, the final data from the previous year confirms what many travellers already felt on the ground: Morocco and Egypt have officially cemented their status as Africa’s undisputed tourism powerhouses. 

Business Insider Africa reported that by the end of 2025, both nations had reached historic milestones, defying regional challenges and setting a new standard for the continent’s travel industry.

Morocco reported a staggering 19.8 million tourist arrivals in 2025, marking a 14% increase from the previous year. This growth is particularly impressive given the kingdom’s recovery from the 2023 earthquake near Marrakesh. Far from deterring visitors, the nation’s resilience, exemplified by the ongoing multi-million dollar revamp of Marrakesh’s historic central square, has become a point of pride and attraction.

Morocco’s aviation strategy is the key to its success. Royal Air Maroc is currently executing an ambitious plan to quadruple its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2038. In 2025, the addition of direct routes to the United States and China, coupled with Ryanair’s aggressive expansion of low-cost European flights, made the kingdom more accessible than ever before.

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Furthermore, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which began in late December 2025 and continues through mid-January 2026, has brought tens of thousands of football fans to the country. This serves as a massive “dress rehearsal” for 2030, when Morocco will co-host the FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

Also, Egypt has shown remarkable resilience, recording a 21% jump to 19 million visitors in 2025. Despite geopolitical tensions in the neighbouring Gaza Strip, the demand for Egyptian history remains insatiable.

The primary catalyst for this surge was the grand opening of the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in November 2025. Located within sight of the Pyramids of Giza, the GEM is the world’s largest archaeological museum, and it is dedicated to a single civilisation. It has successfully drawn a new wave of high-spending cultural tourists, pushing hotel occupancy rates to 100% in Cairo and Luxor during the peak winter season. Sherif Fathi, the Minister of Tourism, has set ambitious targets, aiming for 20 million visitors in 2026 and a long-term goal of 30 million annual arrivals by 2031.

While sub-Saharan destinations offer incredible safari and nature experiences, Morocco and Egypt benefit from proximity to Europe, with short-haul flight times that allow for weekend city breaks. They also invest in infrastructure, spending on high-speed rail and airport modernisation. The two countries have a rare combination of beach resorts, ancient history, and world-class sporting events.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers 

1. How many tourists visited Morocco and Egypt in 2025?

Morocco welcomed 19.8 million visitors, while Egypt welcomed 19 million, totalling nearly 39 million arrivals between the two nations.

2. What is the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)?

Opened in late 2025, the GEM is a $1 billion state-of-the-art museum near the Giza Pyramids, housing the entire Tutankhamun collection and thousands of rare artefacts.

3. How is football affecting tourism in Morocco?

Morocco is currently hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (Dec 2025–Jan 2026). The success of this event is part of a broader strategy leading up to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

4. Is it safe to travel to Egypt and Morocco?

Yes. Despite regional conflicts, tourism authorities in both countries have maintained high safety standards, and visitor numbers continue to rise, indicating strong traveller confidence.