The tourism ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries approved the Unified Gulf Tourism Visa during their seventh meeting in Oman.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, stated that the implementation procedures for this visa will be discussed by the interior ministers of the GCC countries in the coming month. Once they give it the green light, this fantastic visa will be presented at the next Gulf Summit, making it official!
Picture this: you’ll have the power to explore not just one, not two, but six amazing countries under a single tourist visa. It’s like having a golden ticket to adventure and discovery in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The goal is to keep tourists enchanted and captivated, encouraging them to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the vibrant Gulf culture while boosting the region’s economic integration.
But wait, there’s more! The GCC countries are also planning a unified Gulf tourism route, connecting all the incredible destinations in one seamless pathway.
The initiative is part of the GCC’s 2030 strategy, which aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP. The strategy focuses on increasing interregional travel and hotel occupancy across the GCC countries, making the region a leading global tourist destination for both regional and international tourists.
The joint Gulf tourism strategy for the period 2023-2030. And aims to increase the number of inbound trips to the GCC countries by an annual rate of 7.0%. The number of visitors to the Gulf countries reached 39.8 million in the previous year with a growth rate of 136.6% compared to 2021. The target is to reach 128.7 million visitors by 2030.
The GCC countries also aim to increase the spending of inbound tourists by an annual growth rate of 8.0%. It is expected to reach $96.9 billion by the end of 2023. With a growth rate of 12.8% compared to 2022, and to reach $188 billion by 2030.
Road trip ready!
READ MORE:
GCC Member States Prepare for Discussions with Security Council on Gaza Crisis
READ MORE:
Bahrain’s Civil Service Bureau Implements Specific Licenses for Government Engineers
READ MORE:
Let’s Go! Bahrain’s Team Elements JJ Won 45 Medals at the 2023 Doha International Championships
