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Morocco dethrones Egypt, becomes main popular destination for tourist to Africa
By Francesca Hangeior
Morocco has crowned itself Africa’s most-visited destination, welcoming 17.4 million tourists in 2024—just a year after a deadly earthquake struck near its star destination, Marrakesh.
The milestone gives Morocco an edge over Egypt, which had long led the continent in tourism. Egypt also broke its own record, attracting 15.7 million visitors in 2024, but it wasn’t enough to hold on to first place.
Tourism revenue in Morocco also hit a new high in 2024, reaching $11 billion, up from $10.5 billion the previous year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
While no central authority tracks arrival numbers for all African nations, UN Tourism data shows North African countries consistently dominate. Egypt, with its pyramids and the Nile, and Morocco, famous for its mountains, medinas, and celebrated cuisine, are in a league of their own on the continent.
By contrast, safari destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, such as South Africa and Botswana, attract far fewer visitors and earn only a fraction of North Africa’s tourism revenue.
Morocco’s 2024 numbers mark a 20 percent rise from 2023 and a more than 33 percent increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels, when the country welcomed 13 million tourists. This surge has also put Morocco two years ahead of its tourism projections.
The rebound has been especially noticeable in Marrakesh, Morocco’s most visited city, which has recovered from both the Covid-19 tourism slowdown and the deadly September 2023 earthquake.
“We struggled after the earthquake. But today, things are better than ever. We’ve been fully booked for months,” said Nassim Ait Said, manager of Riad Nelia, a boutique hotel in Marrakech’s old square. “People are back to enjoy the beauty of Marrakech.”
However, the same cannot be said for the surrounding Atlas villages, once a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
“The sight of tents and damaged homes doesn’t help attract sceptical tourists,” said Driss Zehrour, owner of Riad Vallée Vert in Douar Taourirte, near Asni, 50 kilometres from Marrakesh. “Unlike Marrakesh, people are still scared to come here.”
Hotel owners in the hardest-hit villages report occupancy rates below 10%. Rebuilding has been agonisingly slow; ruins and makeshift camps are still scattered across the region more than a year after the earthquake.
Residents, who have been protesting since last year against the lack of action, say the government has offered no explanation or reassurances.
While the recovery remains uneven, Morocco’s tourism ministry wants to break more records.
“These remarkable figures represent a major step towards our goal of positioning Morocco among the top 15 global tourist destinations”, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said in a press release last week.
To break into the top 15, Morocco would need to overtake countries like Japan, which welcomed 25 million international tourists in 2023, the most recent year for which UN data is available.
Ammor highlighted several factors driving Morocco’s growth in a social media post, including the introduction of 120 airline routes in 2024—such as United Airlines’ Newark-Marrakech nonstop—and new luxury hotels from brands like Four Seasons and Nobu across the country.
Morocco has also leveraged the success of its national football team, the Atlas Lions, who made history as the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022.
Their success is now woven into Morocco’s tourism promotion. Trailers showcasing the Atlas Lions greet visitors at Marrakech airport, murals of Achraf Hakimi’s Panenka and Yassine Bounou’s iconic saves adorn streets, and the team’s legend continues to attract fans from around the world.
The record-breaking year comes as Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 2025 to January 2026, an event expected to draw soccer fans worldwide.
By 2030, when Morocco is set to co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the country aims to welcome 26 million tourists annually—50 percent more than its current figures.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.
Recall that Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.
He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.
His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.
A military internal memo earlier obtained by SaharaReporters had read, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.
“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”
However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.
“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”
SaharaReporters recently reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.
The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.
According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.
“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said. (SaharaReporters: Text, Excluding Headline)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Canada’s immigration authorities have clarified that seeking asylum does not provide an automatic exemption from immigration laws.
The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasised that individuals seeking asylum must demonstrate that returning to their home country would subject them to serious harm in order to avoid deportation.
The asylum system is designed to offer protection to those fleeing threats such as torture, persecution, and inhumane treatment.
IRCC has reiterated that the asylum process is not a shortcut to entering the country.
Applicants must provide verifiable evidence of persecution and undergo multiple checks, including medical examinations, biometric data collection, and security screenings.
The statement reads, “It is a rigorous process to determine whether you have a legitimate need for refugee protection according to Canadian and international laws. Our rules-based system will determine the validity of your claim. It’s important to understand that not all claims will be accepted. If you make an asylum claim in Canada, you will need to:
Have health, criminal, security and other background checks
Get a medical exam
Provide personal and biometric (photo and fingerprints) information
Provide concrete evidence of persecution and the risks of being in your home country
Declare on your application if you are working with a representative, even if you’re not paying them
“Providing false information on your refugee claim application is considered lying, and your application may be refused.
“You’ll be removed from Canada if you don’t have a legitimate claim or are not eligible to make a claim in Canada. It can take a long time to get a final decision on your asylum claim. There’s no guarantee that you will be allowed to stay in Canada.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.
The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.
Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.
He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organizations for the continued peace and security of Osun state.
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