Mogadishu tourism sees 50% jump in visitors
A 23-year-old guide leads tourists through the Somali capital's beaches and markets, a sector growing despite lingering security concerns.
By Oliver Bennett ·
Approximately 10,000 tourists visited Somalia in 2024, marking a 50% increase over the previous year according to the country's tourism department. This growth is driven by local guides like Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader, who operates in Mogadishu.
Sucdi, 23, leads visitors to Jazeera beach and nearby sand dunes that she notes resemble the Sahara. Her tours also include stops at the fish market, where guests see the variety of marine life along Somalia's coastline. The itinerary extends to areas reflecting the city's history as an Indian Ocean trading hub, with influences from its Ottoman and Italian past.
Her father worked as a guide for more than three decades before introducing her to the business nearly three years ago. Sucdi now works with a team and uses TikTok to share tour videos. She is considering creating content in English to reach audiences who do not speak Somali. She describes the industry as seasonal but notes this year has been encouraging.
Security remains a primary concern for visitors. Many ask about safety before traveling and encounter checkpoints in the city. Sucdi states that tourists are often surprised by the beauty and welcoming nature of the people. She says five tourists per week is considered a success, though she expects numbers to rise.
American content creator Chris Reese visited Mogadishu solo about a year ago. He returned recently with a group of friends who saw his social media posts. Reese describes the city as a beautiful tropical place with excellent food. He notes the sand dunes are a 30-minute drive from the capital and calls the desert picturesque.
Romanian visitor Mihaela Patap arrived from Ethiopia and visited the sand dunes and coastline within hours of her arrival. She says she feels safe and notes the friendliness of the locals. Patap plans to post photos to encourage others to visit the country.
Mogadishu has undergone reconstruction since al-Shabab militants withdrew from most of the city in 2011. A federal government was established in 2012. Diaspora members and investors have built new hotels and residential developments. Somalia has a mainland coastline stretching more than 3,000 kilometers along the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
