Despite ongoing regional tensions, most Middle Eastern and North African countries saw continued tourism growth last year. Among the most-visited destinations, only Jordan experienced a decline.
In the Gulf, Qatar recorded the highest year-on-year growth, while Saudi Arabia and Dubai maintained strong momentum. In North Africa, Morocco surpassed Egypt as the region’s most-visited country.
Here’s a look at 2024’s international tourism trends across key Middle Eastern destinations.
Qatar: 25% Increase
Qatar welcomed five million international tourists in 2024, marking a 25% year-on-year surge, according to Qatar Tourism. GCC nationals accounted for 41% of visitors, with the remaining 59% coming from global markets, including Saudi Arabia, India, the UK, Germany, and the U.S.
Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism, reaffirmed the country’s ambitious plans: “Between 2022 and 2030, we aim to nearly triple our visitor numbers, at least double tourism spending, and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP to 10-12%.”
Morocco: 20% Increase
Morocco’s tourism industry saw a record 17.4 million arrivals in 2024, surpassing its 2026 target two years ahead of schedule, according to the Ministry of Tourism. This marks a 20% increase from 2023, driven by government investment and industry collaboration.
Foreign tourists accounted for 8.8 million arrivals (+23% YoY), while visits from Moroccan expatriates rose 17% to 8.6 million. Morocco’s tourism sector is now performing 35% above pre-pandemic levels.
Turkey: 9.8% Increase
Turkey saw record-high tourism revenues and visitor numbers in 2024. The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) reported an 8.3% rise in revenue, reaching $61.1 billion. Visitor numbers climbed 9.84% year-on-year to 62.27 million, including Turkish-origin travelers.
Saudi Arabia: 9.4% Increase
Saudi Arabia attracted 30 million international visitors in 2024, a 9.4% increase over 2023, according to Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb. Domestic and regional travel remained a priority, with total travelers reaching 127 million.
Several international campaigns launched in 2024, including “The Land is Calling,” which targeted key markets like the UK, France, Italy, Germany, the U.S., India, and China. Despite these efforts, religious tourism continued to be the dominant driver, with Makkah and Madinah remaining top destinations.
Dubai: 9% Increase
Dubai recorded 18.72 million international overnight visitors in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Hotel sector performance remained strong, with average occupancy rising to 78.2%.
Egypt: 5.3% Increase
Egypt welcomed a record 15.7 million tourists in 2024, reflecting a 5.37% increase from 2023. Tourism revenues reached $14.1 billion, with top source markets including Germany, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the U.S.
Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy credited the sector’s resilience despite geopolitical challenges.
Jordan: 3.9% Decrease
Jordan was the only major Middle Eastern destination to see a decline in 2024, with international visitor numbers dropping 3.9% to 6.1 million. The decline was largely due to the Gaza conflict, which led to a $273 million loss in tourism revenue.
Despite setbacks, Jordan saw increased visitors from GCC and Arab markets, helping to offset some losses. Moving forward, tourism officials are focused on positioning Jordan as a safe and resilient destination.
(Source: Skift.com)
