The Djibouti Phenomenon: Why the Poor Country Is Unaffordable for Ordinary Tourists
Djibouti is a tiny country in the Horn of Africa that many have heard of only in the news or on geography quizzes. It is not on the list of popular tourist destinations like Egypt or Kenya, and rarely appears on travel blogs. But here's the paradox: despite its poverty, Djibouti remains one of the most expensive countries for travelers. Why is this? Let's look into this phenomenon.
When it comes to the most expensive tourist destinations, many will immediately remember the Maldives and Seychelles. Experts will add the hard-to-reach Easter Island or New Zealand. Hardly anyone will include Djibouti in this list. And this is not surprising: the title of one of the poorest countries in the world is difficult to associate with a luxurious vacation. And there are almost no attractions here. But despite this, Djibouti remains one of the most expensive countries for visitors, competing with Antarctica.
The average cost of a tour to Djibouti is $29,000, or about 2.4 million rubles. This is higher than the price of a trip to Antarctica or Botswana. What do we know about the country? The population here does not exceed a million people. Despite the fact that the country is located in an important strategic place - at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, much more information can be found about Yemen, located opposite, in Asia.
There is not much to say about this African country with an unemployment rate of 60% and an extremely poor population. For starters, tourists risk becoming victims of theft or even kidnapping for ransom. Theft is considered something of a national sport here. But these are not the only dangers. Djibouti is also on the list of countries with a high level of terrorist threat.
From neighboring Somalia, militants of the Al-Shabaab group, known for their cruelty, are penetrating into Djibouti. The coastal waters are dominated by Yemeni rebels who are fighting with several countries at once. Within the country itself, a sluggish but well-armed conflict between the Afar and Issa peoples has been going on for decades. And that's not all: the region where this land is located is considered seismically dangerous, and earthquakes occur here quite often.
It seems that the words of the children's poet Chukovsky "don't go to Africa for a walk, children" directly apply to Djibouti. But where do such sky-high prices for tours to this country come from? Let's try to analyze the factors that influence prices. First of all, the weather is made by the port in the capital of Djibouti, which is also called the country.
Djibouti is located at the crossroads of world trade routes, at the entrance to the Red Sea. Its port handles a huge flow of cargo, linking Asia, Africa and Europe. This makes the country an important logistics hub. But what does this have to do with tourism?
The local economy relies heavily on foreign investment and the presence of military bases from the US, France, China and other countries. These bases generate income, but at the same time drive up prices for everything from housing to food. Life is cheap for locals, but a tourist accustomed to African budget prices will be in for a shock: a cup of coffee in a cafe can cost as much as in Paris!
Another reason for the high prices is the extremely limited tourist infrastructure. There is almost no competition in the services market in Djibouti, and the choice for tourists is minimal. Local entrepreneurs and authorities successfully take advantage of this. For example, a simple boat ride to Moucha Island, popular with divers, costs $200 (16.5 thousand rubles). Don't like it? Then go back to the hotel, there are no other options anyway. By the way, the cost of a hotel room here is comparable to prices in Dubai. Maybe it's easier to go straight to the airport and fly home?
Prices are also affected by the country’s unexpectedly high cost of living, especially given its large number of poor residents. Most people in Djibouti live modestly: the average salary is about $200 a month, and many survive on odd jobs. But according to the annual cost of living rankings compiled by the consulting company Mercer, Djibouti consistently ranks 59–60th. For comparison, its constant neighbor on the list is Oslo, the capital of Norway. Feel the scope?
The country has a high inflation rate, and most goods, including most food, are imported from abroad. Foreign capital at least supports the economy, but it does not make things any easier for anyone. The situation with tourism in Djibouti is so unique that it has even been dubbed the "Djibouti phenomenon."
There are other places around the world where this effect can be observed. For example, prices in Kenya, especially in the capital Nairobi, as well as in Nigeria and Cape Town in South Africa, seem disproportionately high for a rather mediocre level of service. Of course, each of these regions has its own attractions. But what does Djibouti have to offer?
Everything is very modest. Usually people come to Djibouti for underwater hunting or to feel the atmosphere of the desert. The country is known for its unusual nature: the salt lake Assal, one of the lowest places on the planet, the lunar landscapes of volcanic deserts, the coral reefs of the Red Sea. Sounds tempting, right? But to see these wonders, you need to hire guides, rent SUVs and pay for permits to visit natural areas.
For example, a trip to Lake Assal can cost $300-500 per person if you are traveling in a small group. And diving or snorkeling in the Gulf of Tadjoura? That’s another $100-200 per day. For comparison: in neighboring Ethiopia or Kenya, similar activities are several times cheaper.
The Djibouti phenomenon really challenges conventional wisdom about value for money in tourism. What do you think – can the unusual experience and rarity of the destination justify such a high price tag?