Adventure Travelers Visit Capital Amid Security Gains, Despite Lingering Threats
For the first time in decades, Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, is cautiously welcoming foreign tourists, signaling a major, surprising shift in a city long associated with conflict. This tentative reopening is driven by real security improvements, with authorities citing an 86% decrease in attacks since 2023, and an ambitious government effort to rebrand the country as an emerging destination.
However, Somalia is far from a mainstream destination. It currently attracts a niche wave of adventure tourists, risk-tolerant travelers drawn to “last-frontier” countries. These visitors, primarily from China, the United States, and Türkiye, often pay premium rates, sometimes up to $500 per day, for guided movements, security, and armored transport. Their access to sites, including Mogadishu’s beaches and cultural areas, remains tightly controlled.
Outlook: Promise and Fragility
The Somali government views tourism as a strategic part of its national image and a key engine of economic growth, with the sector aiming to create an estimated 30,000 jobs. Somalia has demonstrated its commitment to global integration by rejoining international bodies like the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and engaging with the African Tourism Board (ATB).
Despite this cautious optimism, the security environment remains volatile. Al-Shabaab continues to pose a persistent threat nationwide, and major Western governments maintain the strongest possible travel advisories. The sector’s fragile future depends heavily on continued security gains, as any major attack could reverse progress overnight.
