Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia lead growth, while Jordan faces decline amid Gaza crisis
Feb 27, 2025
In 2024, tourism in the Middle East showed resilience despite regional challenges, with several countries experiencing significant growth in visitor numbers. Morocco and Qatar stood out, while Jordan experienced a decline, largely due to the Gaza crisis. Despite these tensions, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Dubai continued to grow their tourism sectors through targeted campaigns and investments. Here’s a look at the key takeaways from the 2024 international tourism data for the Middle East and North Africa:
Key takeaways
- Qatar saw a 25% increase in international tourism, reaching 5 million visitors, with a strong focus on regional and international markets;
- Morocco achieved a record 17.4 million arrivals, surpassing its 2026 target ahead of schedule and representing 20% year-on-year growth;
- Turkey recorded a 9.8% increase in visitor arrivals, reaching 62.27 million tourists, with tourism receipts reaching $61.1 billion;
- Saudi Arabia welcomed 30 million visitors, an increase of 9.4%, with efforts focused on regional tourism and campaigns targeting key international markets;
- Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international visitors, an increase of 9%, with hotel metrics reflecting strong performance;
- Egypt recorded a 5.3% increase in arrivals to 15.7 million tourists, despite geopolitical challenges;
- Jordan experienced a 3.9% decline in tourism due to the Gaza crisis, losing 600,000 international visitors, but maintained growth from the GCC and Arab countries.
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