Overview of Somali tourism industry

Somalia lies long the East corn coast of Africa covering an area of 635,000 sq.km with an estimated population 8 million. Agriculture is mainstay of the economy. Somalia is in the process of establishing a firm industrial base based on the processing of primary sources. The country target is the joining the newly industrialized nation status by the year 2020. Tourism will be one of the largest contributors to the economy the nation.

Tourism in Somalia dates back to the pre-independence days and history has it recorded that as early as the 1930’s, overseas visitors and explorers had started coming to Somalia mainly for a big-game haunting expeditions while others came in search of solitude.

At the time, there was already a relatively well developed but limited tourism infrastructure. The available accommodation was Spartan but ideal for both the visitors as well as the settler community in Somalia. However, soon after independence, the Somalia Government realized the enormous potential of the nascent tourism industry and hence undertook to upgrade the existing infrastructure and superstructure as well as investing additional facilities. To achieve its goal, the Government encouraged local and foreign entrepreneurs to invest in the tourism and hospitality industries thus paving the way for future development of the sector.

In spite of increase competitions form other destinations, Somalia may be one of the foremost destination in Africa. Tourism in Somalia is mainly based on natural attractions, which include idyllic beaches, its natural habitats as well as its wildlife. Approximately 5% of the country has been set aside for conservation of wildlife and biodiversity.

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