Home » Latest Travel News » South Africa Joins Morocco, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Greece, and Others in Skyrocketing to a Record Tourism Growth for Nine Successive Months in 2025: Everything You Need to Know
Published on
November 1, 2025
In 2025, South Africa joins Morocco, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Greece, and other top destinations in achieving record tourism growth for nine consecutive months. This surge is driven by strong international arrivals, robust marketing, and diverse attractions, solidifying their positions in the global tourism sector. South Africa, with its breathtaking landscapes, iconic wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, has become a major contributor to this ongoing trend. As countries like Morocco and Egypt continue to attract global travelers with their historical landmarks and vibrant cultures, South Africa’s successful rise in tourist numbers emphasizes the global recovery of the tourism industry. These countries are benefitting from a combination of improved infrastructure, targeted promotions, and a growing demand for both cultural exploration and nature-based tourism, further strengthening their positions as leading travel destinations in 2025.
South Africa’s Tourism Growth in 2025
South Africa has seen a robust 15.8% growth in tourist arrivals in 2025, signaling a positive recovery and growth for the country’s tourism sector. Alongside this, tourism receipts have risen by 5.3% compared to the previous year. The country’s diverse landscapes, including its iconic wildlife, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cities, continue to attract international visitors, making it one of the top destinations in Africa. The country’s rich cultural heritage, including the history of apartheid and its diverse mix of traditions, further adds to its allure. Popular attractions like the Kruger National Park, Cape Town’s Table Mountain, and the Winelands continue to draw travelers, along with the growing demand for adventure tourism such as safaris. South Africa is positioning itself as a destination for both cultural exploration and nature tourism.
Country Guide:
- Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative)
- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
- Language: 11 official languages including Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans
- Top Attractions: Kruger National Park, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Winelands
- Best Time to Visit: May to September for the best wildlife viewing
- Cuisine: Braai (barbecue), bunny chow, bobotie
- Travel Tip: Explore the vibrant cities and national parks for a diverse South African experience.
Morocco’s Tourism Growth and Strategic Vision for 2025
Morocco’s tourism sector has experienced significant growth in 2025, with revenues reaching MAD 100 billion by the end of September, reflecting a 14.7% increase from the previous year. The country welcomed 15 million tourists in the first nine months, marking a 14% rise from 2024. With projections of 18 million visitors by the end of 2025, Morocco aims to generate MAD 124 billion in tourism revenues. The country is focusing on diversifying its markets, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting sustainable travel, with new initiatives like a direct Montreal-Agadir flight launching in June 2026.
Country Guide:
- Capital: Rabat
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
- Language: Arabic, Berber, French (widely spoken)
- Top Attractions: Marrakech, Fes, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, Casablanca
- Best Time to Visit: March to May and September to November for pleasant weather
- Cuisine: Tagine, couscous, pastilla, and mint tea
- Travel Tip: Explore the souks and historical sites for an authentic experience.
Turkey’s Mixed Tourism Performance
Turkey experienced a slight decline of -0.9% in tourist arrivals in 2025, but despite this downturn, the country saw a 5.1% increase in tourism receipts, reflecting the higher spending of visitors. This mixed performance highlights the continuing appeal of Turkey, particularly in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and its famous tourist hotspots like Cappadocia and the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. The country’s ancient monuments, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture continue to attract visitors, though the geopolitical landscape and regional instability may have impacted overall arrivals. Nevertheless, Turkey’s diverse offerings, ranging from historical sites like the Hagia Sophia to natural wonders like Pamukkale, ensure that it remains a popular destination. Tourism revenues have still shown resilience, thanks to higher-value tourists spending more during their stays.
Country Guide:
- Capital: Ankara
- Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)
- Language: Turkish
- Top Attractions: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Pamukkale, Cappadocia
- Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to November for pleasant weather
- Cuisine: Kebab, meze, baklava, Turkish delight
- Travel Tip: Explore both ancient sites and modern Turkish culture for a well-rounded experience.
UAE’s Thriving Tourism Sector in 2025
Dubai’s tourism sector has continued to show strong growth in 2025, with 13.95 million international overnight visitors welcomed between January and September. This represents a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The city’s hotel occupancy rate remained robust, averaging 78.5%, while the average length of stay for tourists was 3.6 nights. With a total of 152,284 hotel rooms spread across 818 establishments, Dubai’s hospitality infrastructure continues to meet growing demand, solidifying its position as a leading global tourism destination. These impressive figures reflect the UAE’s continued appeal and success in attracting international visitors, further boosting the country’s tourism and hospitality industries.
Country Guide:
- Capital: Abu Dhabi
- Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)
- Language: Arabic (official), English (widely spoken)
- Top Attractions: Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Mall, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Best Time to Visit: November to March for cooler weather
- Cuisine: Shawarma, hummus, falafel, machboos
- Travel Tip: Explore the luxurious malls, desert safaris, and cultural landmarks for a complete UAE experience.
Egypt’s Strong Tourism Growth
Egypt has seen exceptional growth in its tourism sector, with a 21.0% increase in tourist arrivals and a remarkable 23.0% rise in tourism receipts in 2025. These figures reflect a significant recovery and resurgence of the country’s tourism market. Egypt, long known for its ancient history, including the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor, remains a top destination for cultural and historical tourism. The country’s vast and rich historical offerings, coupled with its beautiful coastal areas like Sharm El-Sheikh and the Red Sea, continue to draw travelers from all over the world. With improved infrastructure and an emphasis on both cultural and beach tourism, Egypt is well-positioned to remain a dominant player in global tourism, with growing arrivals and high spending by international tourists.
Country Guide:
- Capital: Cairo
- Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
- Language: Arabic
- Top Attractions: The Great Pyramids of Giza, Luxor’s temples, Abu Simbel, Egyptian Museum
- Best Time to Visit: October to April for cooler weather
- Cuisine: Koshari, falafel, mahshi
- Travel Tip: Visit the Nile River and explore Egypt’s historical landmarks to experience its rich heritage.
Greece’s Tourism Continues to Thrive
Greece has experienced steady growth in 2025, with a 2.6% increase in tourist arrivals and an impressive 12.5% rise in tourism receipts compared to the previous year. The country’s unique blend of ancient history, stunning islands, and Mediterranean charm makes it a year-round favorite for travelers. Greece continues to be a top European destination, especially for its world-famous attractions like the Acropolis, Santorini, and Mykonos. With its rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cities, Greece remains a dream destination for both history lovers and beach-goers. The increase in tourism receipts shows that not only are more people visiting, but they are also spending more during their trips, further bolstering the country’s tourism economy.
Country Guide:
- Capital: Athens
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Language: Greek
- Top Attractions: The Acropolis, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete
- Best Time to Visit: May to October for ideal weather and fewer crowds
- Cuisine: Moussaka, souvlaki, tzatziki, baklava
- Travel Tip: Don’t miss the island-hopping experience and the archaeological sites for an authentic Greek experience.
Tanzania’s Tourism Sees Steady Growth
Tanzania has experienced a strong 10.4% growth in tourist arrivals in 2025, though the increase in tourism receipts has been more modest, at 3.3%. Despite the slight lag in revenue growth, Tanzania’s tourism sector is on the rise, thanks to its renowned national parks, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. Visitors flock to Tanzania for once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro, and exploring Zanzibar’s unique blend of African, Arab, and European cultures. The country’s commitment to sustainable tourism and continued development of its infrastructure will likely drive further growth, helping it maintain its place as a leading tourist destination in East Africa.
Country Guide:
- Capital: Dodoma
- Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
- Language: Swahili, English
- Top Attractions: Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar Archipelago, Ngorongoro Crater
- Best Time to Visit: June to October for wildlife safaris
- Cuisine: Ugali, nyama choma, Zanzibar pizza
- Travel Tip: Explore Tanzania’s safaris and coastal gems for a diverse travel experience.
In 2025, South Africa saw a 15.8% surge in arrivals with 5.3% rise in tourism receipts. Alongside Morocco, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Greece, and others, this nations are experiencing skyrocketing tourism growth for nine successive months driven by strategic investments.
Conclulation
South Africa joins Morocco, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Greece, and other top destinations in achieving record tourism growth for nine consecutive months. This remarkable success highlights the global resurgence of tourism, fueled by strong international arrivals, targeted marketing efforts, and a diverse range of attractions.
In 2025, South Africa joins Morocco, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Greece, and others in achieving record tourism growth for nine consecutive months, driven by strong arrivals and diverse attractions.
As South Africa and these destinations continue to thrive, the trend demonstrates a renewed confidence in global travel, positioning them as key players in the tourism sector for the year and beyond. Their resilience and appeal will undoubtedly sustain this growth momentum.
