The Comoros welcomed over 80,000 visitors in 2024 — nearly three times the 2021 level of 28,800. Driven by resumed international flights and cruise ship calls, the ambition is clear: make the archipelago a reference destination in the Indian Ocean by 2027.
A spectacular rebound: +178% in three years
The turnaround is striking: from 28,800 arrivals in 2021 to over 80,000 in 2024, the Comoros recorded a 178% increase in just three years. The restoration of international air routes — notably to Europe and the Middle East — and growth in cruise ship stopovers were the primary drivers. The archipelago is now capitalising on this momentum as a lever for inclusive economic development, a key sector for a country with one of the lowest GDPs per capita in the Indian Ocean.
500 to 600 new rooms to meet demand
One of the main barriers to tourism growth in the Comoros remains accommodation capacity. The government plans the construction of 500 to 600 new hotel rooms, combining eco-lodges, beach properties and responsible luxury developments such as Naya Lodge — which embodies the booming "environmental luxury" niche in the Indian Ocean. Cultural tourism and ecotourism projects round out the strategy.
Mohéli: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and heritage candidacy
Listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020, the island of Mohéli is the natural crown jewel of the Comorian tourism offer. Its intact coral reef, sea turtles and humpback whales attract high-end nature tourists. In January 2025, the Comoros submitted a UNESCO cultural heritage candidacy, with results expected in July 2027. A UNESCO listing would significantly boost the archipelago's international appeal.
Why this matters
With 3.8% growth in 2025 — the best since the pandemic — tourism could become one of the most powerful medium-term accelerators of the Comorian economy. The ambition is clear: to position the archipelago as a credible alternative to the Seychelles and Mauritius for premium yet accessible tourism rooted in nature and local culture. The 2024 figures prove the trajectory is set.