RIYADH: Visitor spending in Gulf Cooperation Council nations is projected to reach $223.7 billion by 2034, driven by economic diversification, mega-projects, infrastructure upgrades, and relaxed visa policies, new data showed.
According to the GCC Statistical Center, as reported by Emirates News Agency – WAM, inbound visitor spending is expected to contribute 13.4 percent to the region’s total exports — underscoring tourism’s growing role in Gulf economies seeking to reduce dependence on oil.
This comes as GCC countries, led by Saudi Arabia, ramp up efforts to diversify their economies by investing in tourism. Central to Saudi Vision 2030 is a goal to raise tourism’s share of gross domestic product from 3 to 10 percent and attract 150 million annual visits, with mega-projects like NEOM spearheading the shift.
The WAM report stated: “The centre also indicated that GCC countries are achieving steady progress in many tourism-related indicators.”
It added: “The data demonstrate that total international visitor spending in GCC countries amounted to $135.5 billion in 2023, with a 28.9 percent increase compared to the figures recorded in 2019.”
The GCC Statistical Center said Gulf countries are achieving steady progress in many tourism-related indicators. ONA
GCC countries also lead the Middle East and North Africa region in safety and security, outperforming the regional average of 5.86 points on a scale of 1 to 7.
Additionally, all six Gulf states rank among the top Arab nations in terms of passport power, reinforcing their global travel competitiveness. The findings underscored the GCC’s growing appeal as a premier tourism and business destination.
This tourism boom aligns with broader economic diversification plans as oil-reliant nations shift their focus toward hospitality, entertainment, and business travel. Additionally, more flexible visa policies and improved infrastructure — such as modern airports and strong safety standards — are helping the region gradually become more attractive to international tourists, offering an alternative to traditional destinations like Europe and Asia.
The GCC’s geographic advantage as a bridge between East and West, coupled with investments in aviation, has turned the region into a global transit and tourism hotspot.
All GCC nations are collectively transforming into a global tourism powerhouse, each leveraging unique strengths under ambitious national strategies.
According to a report by consultancy firm Roland Berger, Saudi Arabia leads with Vision 2030, combining religious pilgrimage with giga-projects like NEOM.
The UAE counters with its Tourism Strategy 2031, doubling down on its established formula of luxury experiences and cultural fusion, aiming for 40 million hotel guests.
Qatar, building on its World Cup, is refining its urban tourism appeal, while Oman bets on natural beauty to attract 11 million annual visitors.
Even smaller players like Bahrain and Kuwait are making strategic moves — Bahrain by leveraging Formula 1 to boost leisure tourism and Kuwait through investments in entertainment infrastructure.
