Somalia Tourism Exhibition Opens in Mogadishu as Government Eyes Sector Growth

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has put its tourism potential on display at a national exhibition in Mogadishu, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre calling for greater investment, skills and modern technology to help turn the sector into a source of economic growth.

The Prime Minister opened the Somalia Tourism Exhibition on Tuesday on the outskirts of Mogadishu, an event organised by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and attended by hundreds of people from the capital.

The exhibition showcased Somalia’s tourism assets, including its coastline and other attractions, as the government seeks to promote the sector and encourage private investment.

Speaking at the opening, Hamza said Somalia had significant tourism opportunities that could contribute to national revenues if the necessary conditions were put in place.

He pointed to the need for appropriate human resources, modern technology and professional skills to develop the industry and make better use of the country’s tourism assets.

The Prime Minister also praised businesses and other private-sector investors already involved in tourism, particularly those investing along Somalia’s coastline, which he described as one of the areas with the greatest potential.

Somalia has one of Africa’s longest coastlines, stretching across the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, with beaches and marine resources that officials have increasingly identified as potential drivers of tourism and investment.

The government has been seeking to broaden economic opportunities beyond traditional sectors, while improvements in infrastructure, security and services are viewed as important to developing tourism and attracting visitors and investors.

The exhibition comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen its international image and promote sectors that could generate employment, business opportunities and domestic revenue.

In his remarks, Hamza also turned to national sovereignty and political unity, criticising what he described as a recent letter submitted to the United Nations by a Somali politician.

He said the move was damaging to Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, without naming the politician in the remarks reported by the government.

“Unity is the strong pillar without which a people cannot stand,” Hamza said, arguing that national unity should take precedence over political disagreements and differences of opinion.

He described Somalia’s unity as an inheritance passed from one generation to another and said it had been defended through sacrifices of lives and resources.

The comments come amid continuing political disagreements in Somalia over governance, constitutional issues and relations between the federal government and regional authorities.

The tourism exhibition nevertheless placed the country’s economic and cultural assets at the centre of the event, highlighting efforts to develop tourism as part of Somalia’s wider economic transformation.

For the sector to expand, Somalia will need continued investment in infrastructure, hospitality, transport, skilled workers and tourism services, alongside efforts to improve security and create an environment capable of attracting domestic and international visitors.