The Middle East is one of the richest historical regions on the Planet. For a long time, this region has been avoided for traveling due to conflicts and dangers of terrorism.
The Middle East tourism and hospitality industry remains one of the most robust in the world, despite the impact of the world. It is expected to emerge as one of the
world’s most competitive landscapes offering value tourism and conference experiences to a worldwide customer base.
Here are our top 14 places to visit in the Middle East in 2020
Doha, Qatar
Doha is a modern and rapidly developing city and the capital of Qatar. Qatar has taken a raft of measures in the past to boost tourism, including allowing visa-free and free-of-charge for several countries.
According to the World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) visa openness rankings, Qatar became the most open country in the Middle East and the 8th most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation.
Doha has been undergoing a huge expansion to its transportation network, including the addition of new highways and the opening of a new airport.
Cairo, Egypt
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is the most beautiful city in the United Arab Emirates. It has the largest immigrant population in the world. Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port (JebeL Ali) operates at the center of the exporting trade in the Middle East. The city offers many tourist attractions, landmarks, shopping centers, parks, nightlife and hotels.
As one of the favorite tourist destinations in UAE, Dubai has seen a tremendous change in its economy in the past 50 years.
With an amazing growth rate of 6.1% in 2014, Dubai has again become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is the second-largest city in South Africa and it is the most southern city in Africa. It is also one of the most iconic cities in the world, also known as the Mother City.
The easiest way to get an overview of things to do, nice restaurants, clubs, tours, etc is to walk into one of the visitors’ centers. Cape Town has some of the world’s best wine-producing vineyards and arguably the world’s most scenically stunning on its doorstep. The wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl are all within an easy hours drive, these historic and lush regions offer stunning views and world-class wine tastings. South Africa is one of the worlds most surf spoiled countries.
Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the oldest known continuously inhabited areas on Earth. The country is known for its great national parks, where you can see some of the finest African flora and fauna. Tanzania is home to several national parks and game reserves and Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest peak in Africa and one of the highest freestanding mountains in the world.
Mauritius
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters, contrast of colours, cultures and tastes. Mauritius is known for its varied flora and fauna, with many species endemic to the island. The island was the only known home of the dodo.
Mauritius is a major tourist destination, the tourism sector is the fourth contributor to the Mauritian economy. The island nation enjoys a tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, beaches, tropical fauna and flora complemented by a multi-ethnic and cultural population.
Mauritius currently has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely, Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne Cultural Landscape.
Petra, Jordan
The city of Petra is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Petra is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan’s most-visited tourist attraction. UNESCO has described Petra as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges.
In addition to the magnificent remains of the Nabataean city, human settlement and land use for over 10,000 years can be traced in Petra, where great natural, cultural, archaeological and geological features merge.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city as well as its cultural and financial hub. The city held the strategic position between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. In 2015 the city was the world’s fifth most popular tourist destination.
The city’s biggest attraction is its historic center, partially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its long history at the center of empires, Istanbul offers a wealth of historic and religious places to take in. The bulk of these ancient monuments, dating back to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, including the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), and Basilica Cistern.
Manama, Bahrain
Manama has a tropical desert climate, varying from dry winter nights to humid summer days. It is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry.
Taxis are expensive, but they are the only way to get around without renting a car. Manama is a financial hub for the Persian Gulf region and a center of Islamic banking.
Madagascar
Madagascar is a country in southern Africa and the fifth largest island in the world. The island harbors lush rain forests, tropical dry forests, plateaus and deserts.
Madagascar’s long isolation from the neighboring continents has resulted in a unique mix of flora and fauna. You will discover unique species in the world with nearly 7 types of baobabs, 19 000 plant species, and more than 100 000 different types of species of fauna.
Approximately 95 percent of Madagascar’s reptiles, 89 percent of its plant life, and 92 percent of its mammals exist nowhere else on Earth.
Marrakech, Marocco
Marrakech is a major city of the Kingdom of Morocco. Marrakesh comprises an old fortified city packed with vendors and their stalls, bordered by modern neighborhoods. Trekking in the Sahara is a great experience. Walking, camel, horse treks and ATVs are plentiful and natural to this locale.
The city is divided into two distinct parts: the Medina, the historical city, and the new European modern district called Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle. Marrakech relies on its incredible diversity to provide a choice for its visitors. There are also festive and cultural locations including the Palais des Congrès and the magnificent Théâtre Royal.
Botswana
Botswana adopted its name after becoming independent in 1966. Botswana has the highest income per capita of the region.
The tourism industry also helped to diversify Botswana’s economy from traditional sources such as diamonds and beef. Botswana relies on natural resources for both general livelihoods and tourism.
Expanding cultural tourism in Botswana has the potential to make tourism more sustainable by reducing the pressure and traffic. Cultural tourism provides opportunities for tourists to learn about art, heritage, and local traditions.
Seychelles
The Seychelles islands are so much more than sun, sea and sand. Today, Seychelles boasts the highest nominal per capita GDP in Africa.
You’ll find unique endemic specimens such as the fabulous Coco-de-mer, the largest seed in the world, the jellyfish tree, with only eight surviving examples, Seychelles’ paradise flycatcher and Seychelles warbler. With almost 50% of its territory set aside as national parks and reserves, it is a sanctuary for some of the rarest species of flora & fauna on earth.
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Discover the stunning azure hues of the Mediterranean, the quaint spots in the White City, its markets, restaurants, special flavors and scintillating night life. Tel Aviv is home to different architectural styles that represent influential periods in its history.
Tel Aviv has been ranked as the twenty-fifth most important financial center in the world. It was built on sand dunes in an area unsuitable for farming and it developed as a hub of business and scientific research.
