The travel and tourism sector contributed $247.1bn to GCC countries’ GDP in 2024, heralding a shift within the region from a phase of post-pandemic recovery to one of global leadership. This figure represents a 31.9% increase over 2019 levels, underscoring the success of large-scale diversification strategies across the bloc. The sector is on a trajectory to contribute an estimated $371.2bn to the economy by 2034, which would account for around 13.3% of regional GDP. This expansion is expected to be a catalyst for employment, supporting the creation of 1.3m jobs between 2025 and 2034 and bringing the sectoral workforce to 6.1m people. The sustained growth in arrivals and expenditure is underpinned by capital investment in infrastructure.
Unified Access
A key development in the regional maturation process is the forthcoming GCC Grand Tours visa, which represents a shift towards a Schengen-style open border for tourists. Approved in November 2023, the visa was undergoing technical and security evaluations as of January 2026, with a full operational rollout scheduled across all six member states for later that year. The implementation is supported by the development of a centralised digital platform that connects national border and security systems. This digital infrastructure should remove administrative friction, allowing international visitors to traverse multiple GCC countries under a single entry permit.
Strategically, the visa aims to increase the average length of stay and expenditure per tourist by facilitating complex, multi-city itineraries that were previously hindered by separate visa requirements. Itineraries such as the Dubai-Muscat-Riyadh circuit are expected to become standard offerings, effectively packaging the region as a single, diverse destination. This regulatory evolution is a key component of the broader Gulf Tourism Strategy, which seeks to maximise the collective attractiveness of the member countries.
Integrated Network
Physical and digital connectivity are being enhanced in parallel to support rising visitor volumes and improve the end-to-end travel experience. Saudi Arabia has pioneered the use of conversational artificial intelligence through the launch of Sara, a digital travel assistant. The expansion of the regional rail network, including the Saudi Landbridge Project and the GCC Railway project, is set to transform intra-regional mobility. Furthermore, the integration of tourism centres with special economic zones and logistics platforms is reducing the operational costs associated with hospitality supply chains. This multi-modal approach ensures that the last-mile delivery of services is as efficient as the primary transport links, further enhancing the region’s competitive position.
Intra-Regional Momentum
The internal market remains a key pillar of sectoral stability, with intra-GCC travel rising to 19.3m trips in 2024. This internal movement accounts for roughly 27% of total regional arrivals, providing a buffer against global geopolitical volatility and external economic shifts. Amid this domestic strength, national targets are being revised upwards to reflect the accelerated pace of development. Having achieved its goal of 100m annual visitors seven years ahead of schedule, Saudi Arabia has officially raised its 2030 target to 150m visitors. This ambition is complemented by regional designations that highlight specific cultural and natural assets, such as the naming of Al Ain as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025. This designation serves to promote the region’s diverse offerings, ranging from high-tech urban centres to heritage-rich nature sites. The collaborative nature of these initiatives demonstrates a move away from regional competition towards a model of synergistic growth.
Horizon
The convergence of unified visa policies, advanced digital integration and multi-modal infrastructure marks the maturation of the GCC into a future-ready international travel centre. By adopting a single destination marketing strategy, member countries are leveraging their collective strengths to compete more effectively on the international stage.
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