By Zakaria Soohoyde - Reporter
Mogadishu, 14 September 2026 Somalia has long struggled with an international image shaped largely by insecurity and conflict. But the federal government is increasingly seeking to position tourism as one of the avenues through which that perception can change.
"Somalia was portrayed as something it did not deserve to be portrayed as — a land of pirates, a land of terrorism, a land where killings and rape take place. But we are showing the world a different Somalia, a Somalia that people can visit for tourism," said Somalia's Minister of Information Abdifatah Qasim.
The minister's remarks come as Somalia steps up efforts to develop its tourism sector, with the government seeking to turn the country's natural beauty and historic sites into opportunities for economic growth and employment.
Tourism and job creation
According to officials at the Ministry of Information, the tourism sector has created more than 40,000 jobs in Somalia, highlighting its potential to contribute to the economy if developed through structured and sustained investment.
Yasir Baafo, an adviser on tourism affairs at the Ministry of Information, said Tourism Day provides an opportunity to remind Somalis of the value and beauty of their country.
"Indeed, it is a very important day. We want every Somali to remember Somalia in their hearts and minds — to showcase the beauty and splendour that God has blessed this country with, and to help Somalis appreciate the beauty we have been given," Baafo said.
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Establishing rules for visitors
Somalia is marking its seventh Tourism Day, with the occasion also highlighting efforts to establish systems and guidelines for tourists and visitors traveling to the country's tourism destinations.
Officials have also stressed that the safety of visitors and respect for the law will remain essential to the development of the sector.
"Every human being who comes to visit has both good and bad sides. Most of the time, there are more people who do good. The country has a legal system through which anyone who commits a crime will be dealt with," said Ali Abdullahi Ahmed, director of the Tourism and Wildlife Department.
Somalia eyes a bigger role in East African tourism
The Ministry of Information says more than 10,000 tourists visited Somalia last year, as the government seeks to increase the number of visitors and expand the country's tourism industry.
The broader ambition is for Somalia to eventually become one of the leading tourism destinations in East Africa.
For a country whose international identity has for decades been dominated by stories of conflict and insecurity, tourism offers an opportunity to tell a more complex story — one that puts Somalia's coastline, natural landscapes, history and cultural heritage at the centre of its engagement with the world.
The challenge, however, will be turning that ambition into a sustainable tourism industry supported by security, infrastructure, investment and reliable services. For now, the message from the government is clear: Somalia wants the world not only to hear about the country, but to come and experience a different side of it.