The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is making headway in the business media sector with significant developments in regional tourism. At a recent meeting in Doha, tourism ministers from GCC countries convened to explore avenues for deepening cooperation and advancing the tourism industry.
One of the crucial topics discussed was the implementation of a unified tourist visa for the GCC states, considered a groundbreaking move endorsed by the GCC Supreme Council. The initiative is poised to position the Gulf region as a premier international travel destination.
During his address, the Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, praised the initiative and underscored the potential benefits it holds for elevating the Gulf’s tourism profile. He also highlighted the ongoing progression of the Gulf Tourism Strategy and the importance of maintaining the momentum in executing the strategy’s initiatives and programs.
Al-Khateeb shared plans for Saudi Arabia’s substantial investments in tourism, amounting to $800 billion across various cities and destinations over the coming decade. This investment is integral to Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to attract 27 million international visitors annually by the end of the decade.
According to Al-Khateeb, the kingdom has already seen significant tourism growth, with visitor expenditure reaching SAR100 billion during the first three quarters of 2023. Saudi Arabia has achieved a leading position among G20 nations and stands second worldwide for the increase in international tourist arrivals, boasting a 56% growth in 2023 compared to 2019.
With an ambitious target of 150 million visitors by 2030, including 80 million domestic and 70 million international tourists, Saudi Arabia is setting a high bar for regional tourism. The minister stressed that these investments would not only benefit Saudi Arabia but would also positively impact all GCC member states by potentially raising the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to the regional GDP from 7.8% to 10%.
Al-Khateeb called for heightened collaboration on tourism in the Gulf, especially in light of significant investments in large-scale tourism projects. He urged for the activation of initiatives that can optimize the attraction of international visitors to the region.
Concluding his speech, the minister reaffirmed the GCC’s commitment to furthering achievements and meeting the aspirations of the region’s leaders.