Mogadishu Tourism Sees Rise as Local Guides Expand Services

In Mogadishu, a small group of local tour guides led by 23-year-old Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader is expanding operations to promote Somalia's travel sector, following official data showing a sharp rise in international visitors. According to the country's tourism department, approximately 10,000 tourists visited Somalia in 2024, representing a 50 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Abdul Khader entered the profession nearly three years ago under the guidance of her father, who spent over three decades guiding international journalists, photographers, and travelers across the country. Operating alongside her father and a team of guides, she promotes local destinations through social media platforms such as TikTok and plans to expand into English-language content to reach broader international audiences.

Her itineraries in the capital include Jazeera Beach, sand dunes located a 30-minute drive from the city center, and Mogadishu's central fish market along the country's 3,000-kilometre coastline. The tours also incorporate historical areas reflecting Ottoman and Italian governance periods, alongside local culinary offerings such as camel meat, samosas, and traditional tea.

The resurgence of commercial activity in Mogadishu follows decades of civil war and infrastructure collapse triggered by the fall of Somalia's central government in 1991. Following the withdrawal of the militant group al-Shabab from most of the capital in 2011 and the formation of a federal government in 2012, investments by returning diaspora members and local entrepreneurs spurred a construction boom featuring new hotels, restaurants, and business centers. Security checkpoints remain active throughout Mogadishu, and safety concerns continue to figure prominently in visitor inquiries.

International travelers, including American content creator Chris Reese and Romanian tourist Mihaela Patap, stated that their direct experiences in Mogadishu contrasted with safety expectations formed by international news coverage. Reese, who returned for a second trip accompanied by friends after a solo visit, cited the capital's coastal environment and dining as key factors, while Patap noted welcoming interactions and the proximity of the surrounding desert. Abdul Khader noted that while five weekly visitors currently represents a positive benchmark in Mogadishu's developing tourism industry, she anticipates steady growth in visitor arrivals over time.

Written by Christiane Hofreiter christiane.hofreiter@alpineweekly.com