Tourism in Djibouti

The foreign tourist days in Djibouti, 2013

Tourism in Djibouti is one of the growing economic sectors of the country and is an industry that generates 53,000 and 73,000 arrivals per year, with its favorable beaches and climate and also including islands and beaches in the Gulf of Tadjoura and the Bab al-Mandab.^[1] The main tourist activities are scuba diving, fishing, trekking and hiking, discovering the nomadic way, bird watching, and sun, sea and sand.

Overview

The town of Ali Sabieh, with the Red Mountains in the distance

At Goubbet-al-Kharab, near the western end of the Gulf of Tadjoura, there are steep cliffs and a bay that was turned dark green by black lava. A number of active volcanoes are located inland from here. Another popular tourist attraction is the Day Forest National Park for conserving rare trees on Mount Goda. Near the town of Ali Sabieh are famously red mountains and a national park full of many gazelles.^[2] The coastal plains, mountain ranges, and volcanic plateaus of the country make a picturesque sight. Some popular local attractions include the Presidential Palace, the Central Market, Maskali Islands, Moucha Island, Lake Abbe and Lake Assal. The coastlines of Djibouti harbor many stretches of beaches that are frequented by sun bathers and other visitors.

The Djiboutian government, realizing the great potential of development of national tourism, takes a variety of measures for this - for example, the maximum mode facilitating foreign investment in tourism infrastructure. Priority is given to the construction of hotels and the construction of roads that meet the latest international standards. ^{[citation needed]}

Regulation

The tourist industry in Djibouti is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism.^[3] According to the UNWTO, the annual number of tourists visiting the country is uncertain. However, international tourism locally generated $21 million USD in revenue in 2012.^[4]

Arrivals by country

According to Office National du Tourisme de Djibouti (ONTD) figures, almost half of all visitors, or 48%, came from France, with 21% arriving from other European countries. The third-largest group came from Gulf states. Visitors from Africa represented just 6%, with the majority of them coming from Ethiopia. Finally, visitors from Asia and North America represented minor percentages at 5% and 3%, respectively.^[5]

Attractions

Dromedary Tibs^[6] served at a restaurant in Djibouti.

Djibouti has a number of local attractions, consisting of historical sites, National Park, beaches and mountain ranges.

Local attractions

Djibouti City - The People Palace
Djibouti City - Rue Venice
Djibouti City - The Presidential Palace

Day Forest National Park

Day Forest National Park established in 1939, protects the Goda Mountains. and also is the largest forest in Djibouti.

Foods

Djibouti has many popular restaurants serving their local foods to tourists.^[7]

Historical sites

Tadjoura – Korijib is one of the oldest mosques in the Horn of Africa.
Djibouti City – The Grand Mosque of Hamoudi.
Loyada – Beach and palm grove, with the tombs of important historical leaders in the region.

Beaches

Siesta Beach – Djibouti City
Red Sea Beach – Near Obock
Khor Ambado – Near Djibouti City
Le Sable Blanc – Tadjoura
Heron Beach – Djibouti City

Mountain ranges

Islands

Salt lakes

References

^ "Djibouti's enormous tourism potential attracting more attention". oxfordbusinessgroup. 2015.
^ "Djibouti: Tourism, travel, and recreation". Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
^ "National Directorate of Statistics, Ministry of Commerce and Tourism (Djibouti)". GHDx. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
^ "UNWTO Tourism Highlights, 2014 Edition" (PDF). UNWTO. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
^ "Djibouti's enormous tourism potential attracting more attention". oxfordbusinessgroup. 2015.
^ "Dromedary or Camel Tibs in Djibouti Restaurants". Melting Pot Restaurant Djibouti. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
^ Mark Stratton (3 November 2002). "Djibouti: The heat is on". The Independent. Retrieved 28 February 2017.

[1] "Djibouti's enormous tourism potential attracting more attention". oxfordbusinessgroup. 2015.

[ne-2] "Djibouti: Tourism, travel, and recreation". Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2008-06-05.

[Ghdx-3] "National Directorate of Statistics, Ministry of Commerce and Tourism (Djibouti)". GHDx. Retrieved 24 December 2014.

[Uthtfe-4] "UNWTO Tourism Highlights, 2014 Edition" (PDF). UNWTO. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2014.

[5] "Djibouti's enormous tourism potential attracting more attention". oxfordbusinessgroup. 2015.

[6] "Dromedary or Camel Tibs in Djibouti Restaurants". Melting Pot Restaurant Djibouti. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2017.

[7] Mark Stratton (3 November 2002). "Djibouti: The heat is on". The Independent. Retrieved 28 February 2017.

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v t e Economy of Djibouti
Currency: Djiboutian franc
Communications	Banking Communications History of Trade Transportation
Industries:	Agriculture Mining Tourism

v t e Tourism in Africa
Sovereign states	Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon The Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
States with limited recognition	Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Somaliland
Dependencies and other territories	Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla (Spain) Madeira (Portugal) Mayotte / Réunion (France) Saint Helena / Ascension Island / Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)