Intra-GCC tourism sees 52% growth

The GCC is riding a new wave of regional travel, as the latest report from the GCC Statistical Centre spotlights the region’s strongest-ever intra-GCC connectivity.

 

In 2024, a record 19.3 million residents travelled between Gulf states, driving intra-GCC tourism up by 52.1% since 2019, according to the ‘GCC Tourism: Intra-Gulf Integration’ report.

 

These journeys accounted for 26.7% of all international arrivals, underscoring the region’s growing cross-border appeal.

 

Building on this momentum, the same report shows that travel and tourism added US$247.1 billion to the GCC’s GDP this year, up 31.9% from 2019.

 

Sector ambitions are set at US$371.2 billion by 2034, at which point tourism is projected to account for 13.3% of total regional GDP.

 

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The sector’s employment impact reached US$4.3 billion in 2024, a rise of 24.9% since 2019, with an anticipated 1.3 million new jobs by 2034. Workforce diversity strengthened as female participation jumped to 13% in 2024, a 73.2% increase in five years.

 

Environmental stewardship remains a priority, with protected nature areas now spanning 19% of GCC territory, reflecting a 7.5% annual increase.

 

Momentum is set to build further, with the highly anticipated GCC ‘Grand Tours’ Visa officially expected by end-2025, enabling seamless Schengen-style travel across all member states. 

 

Travellers will be able to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait under a single permit for up to 30 days. 

 

Added to this, major infrastructure projects, from rail to cruise networks, are primed to accelerate multi-country travel and drive new circuit itineraries across the region.

 

For more information, visit gccstat.org