A groundbreaking development in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is on the horizon as a unified tourist visa, akin to the Schengen-style visa, has received approval. Tourists can explore all six GCC member states – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait – with a single visa. This significant initiative, endorsed during a recent GCC ministerial meeting in Muscat, has the potential to reshape tourism in the region and is expected to be rolled out as early as 2024 or 2025, pending finalization of implementation rules.
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Key Points of the Unified GCC Tourist Visa:
- Tourist Route: In addition to the unified visa, GCC governments are set to study and develop a unified tourist route that connects all six countries. This route is intended for foreign tourists with stays exceeding 30 days, enhancing the experience for those looking to explore the entire region.
- UAE’s Role: The Emirates Tourism Council has been actively involved in the preparation of an Emirati tourism route that connects all seven emirates. The UAE holds the highest number of tourist sites among GCC nations, with a strong focus on hosting various tourism events and activities.
- 2030 Strategy: This unified tourist visa aligns with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s 2030 strategy to boost the tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) by increasing inter-city flights and the number of hotel guests across GCC countries. Tourism already plays a significant role in the UAE’s economy, accounting for 14% of its GDP, with a target to increase that contribution to 18%.
- Economic Impact: Hoteliers and travel industry executives anticipate the unified tourist visa will have a transformative impact on the tourism sector and the overall economies of GCC countries. This move is expected to create numerous job opportunities for both citizens and residents, stimulating economic growth.
- Tourist Growth Target: GCC countries experienced a remarkable 136.6% growth in the number of visitors in 2022 compared to 2021. As part of the 2030 strategy, the GCC aims to increase the number of foreign tourists by over 220% to 128.7 million by 2030, with the unified visa playing a crucial role in achieving this target.
- Sector Growth Rate: The GCC is poised for a 7% annual growth rate in the travel and tourism sector. The sector’s total value is expected to reach $185.9 billion in 2023, representing an 8.5% growth from the previous year.
- Tourist Spending: GCC tourist spending is forecasted to grow by 12.8% to reach $96.9 billion by the end of 2023, with a long-term goal of increasing this spending at a rate of 8% per year, ultimately reaching $188 billion by 2030.
- Hotel Establishments: Dubai alone offers tourists a choice of 810 hotel establishments and 148,689 rooms, while the total number of hotel establishments in the GCC reached 10,649 by the end of 2022. The UAE ranks second in the GCC in terms of hotel establishments, trailing only Saudi Arabia, and boasts 1,114 hotel establishments. The total number of hotel rooms in the Gulf has reached 674,832.
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The implementation of the unified GCC tourist visa is poised to be a game-changer for tourism and economic growth in the region, fostering cooperation and providing tourists with an opportunity to explore the diverse attractions across the Gulf states with convenience and ease. The positive impact is expected to be significant, aligning with the region’s 2030 goals for tourism and economic development.
