Boosting Tourism in the GCC: Unifying Visas and Empowering Entrepreneurship

In recent years, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have recognized the importance of tourism as a vital economic driver. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Economy organized a dialogue session at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 exhibition in Dubai. The session, titled “The Most Important Initiatives for Developing Tourism in the GCC Countries,” was attended by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, and representatives from the tourism sector in GCC countries.

The session focused on strategies needed to drive growth in the Gulf tourism sector and its role in regional economies. One key initiative highlighted was the activation of a unified tourist visa to streamline travel between GCC countries. The unified visa, approved during the 44th Gulf Summit in December 2023, aims to showcase the diverse tourism offerings of GCC countries and boost travel between nations. This initiative is expected to increase tourist spending, enhance visitor experiences, and position the GCC as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.

The theme for this year’s session was “Empowering Innovation: Developing the Travel Sector Through Entrepreneurship,” featuring industry leaders and experts in the travel and tourism sector. During his speech, Minister bin Touq emphasized that tourism plays a significant role in UAE’s economy, with a GDP share of 11.7% in 2023 and an expected increase to 12% in 2024. The total GDP contribution of tourism to GCC countries was $109 billion in 2021, with international tourists accounting for 55% of total spending.

To achieve their goals of increasing hotel establishments and visitor spending by 2030, the GCC countries are taking several steps to enhance cooperation among themselves for a richer tourist experience. For instance, they are exploring ways to enhance educational programs to prepare skilled professionals for