North Africa leads African tourism gains as global travel conditions strengthen - report
The World Economic Forum’s latest tourism index shows African markets making gains in cultural resources, digital readiness and tourism prioritisation as global travel conditions strengthen.
North Africa has emerged as the fastest-improving region in African tourism, according to a recent World Economic Forum report. The MENA region, which includes North Africa, showed a 2.5% improvement in its 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index score, the second-largest increase globally after South-East Asia. This growth was driven by gains in cultural resources, tourism infrastructure, and services, as well as air connectivity and business travel demand.
North Africa's Cultural Resources score increased by 18% between 2024 and 2026, the highest subregional gain globally. The region's strong performance is attributed to growing demand for cultural and entertainment experiences, with online searches for attractions such as heritage sites, gastronomy, museums, and festivals rising about 15% over the same period.
Digital readiness also saw progress across African markets, with ICT Readiness improving by 3.2% globally and 4.9% in emerging and developing economies. The tourism sector now supports 366 million jobs worldwide, with international tourist arrivals reaching 1.5 billion in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024. However, travel costs have become less affordable for many, and tourism investment has not kept pace with rising demand in some markets.
Labour shortages are also emerging as a constraint on growth, despite the benefits tourism brings to local communities.
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