Tourism in Morocco and Egypt reached record levels in 2025, driven by new flight connections, showpiece museums, and major sporting events, Bloomberg reported. Morocco recorded around 19.8 million arrivals last year, a 14 percent increase from 2024, while Egypt welcomed 19 million visitors, up 21 percent annually.

In Morocco, the surge reflects what Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor described as a “deep transformation” of the sector, which contributes roughly 8 percent to the kingdom’s 178 billion US dollar economy. Arrival numbers are now 50 percent higher than the pre-pandemic peak, Bloomberg noted, with little disruption from the 2023 earthquake south of Marrakesh. The city’s central square is undergoing a revamp to enhance the visitor experience.

New flight links have bolstered arrivals in Morocco. Royal Air Maroc expanded European connections and added new aircraft as part of a plan to quadruple its fleet to 200 by 2038. Direct routes to the US and China were introduced, while Ryanair Holdings Plc provides additional low-cost options from Europe. December arrivals were further boosted by tens of thousands of football fans attending the Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco hosted from December 21 to January 18. The kingdom aims to attract 26 million tourists annually by the time it co-hosts the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal in 2030.

Egypt’s tourism industry has shown resilience despite two years of conflict in neighboring Gaza. The Grand Egyptian Museum, a 1 billion US dollar project near the Pyramids of Giza, has drawn large crowds since its official opening in November, Bloomberg reported. Popular Red Sea resorts, including Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, remain busy, while new developments along the Mediterranean coast are enhancing Egypt’s profile as an international destination.

Cairo is also undergoing a transformation, with new hotels and restoration projects in the historic downtown and around the 12th-century citadel. Tourism Minister Sherif Fathi told local media that the country targets over 20 million visitors in 2026, with hotel occupancy reaching full capacity in some locations. Egypt, also known for its Nile cruises, is aiming for 30 million annual arrivals by 2031.