Unified GCC tourist visa is expected to come into effect between 2024 and 2025.
Ministers of tourism from the GCC countries have approved the unified GCC tourist visa during their last summit.
And by the next GCC summit will witness the submission of the first unified GCC tourist visa.
The new visa will allow holders to visit 6 countries in a single tourist visa, which will keep the tourists in the GCC countries for a longer time.
While the next phase requires the study of a unified GCC tourism route.
In order to connect the GCC countries in a single route for foreign visitors to benefit from the unified GCC tourist visa.
And they will benefit from this route in case they stay for more than 30 days.
This initiative comes within the framework of the GCC 2030 strategy.
Which aims to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the gross domestic product.
By increasing intra-regional travel and the number of hotel guests at the level of the GCC countries.
In addition to making GCC Countries a leading tourist destination in the world for regional and international tourists.
Actually, the GCC countries have a developed and qualified infrastructure for the travel and tourism sector.
As the total number of hotels in GCC Countries reached 10,649 hotels by the end of 2022.
While the growth rate is 1.2% compared to 2016.
The UAE ranked as the 2nd at the GCC level in the quantity of hotels.
Mentioning that the UAE has 1,114 hotel establishments.
While Saudi Arabia ranked the first at the GCC level.
The GCC countries aim to increase the number of inbound trips to the GCC countries by an annual rate of 7.0%.
They aim to reach 128.7 million visitors by 2030.
Also they are planning to increase the spending of inbound tourists by an annual growth rate of 8.0% to reach $188 billion by 2030.
As well as the direct GDP of the travel and tourism sector by an annual growth rate of 7% so they reach $185.9 billion in 2023.
The GCC countries have 837 tourist sites and the UAE has 399 of them.
You can visit the UAE following destinations:
Abu Dhabi Safe and Calm Tourist Attractions.
The UAE also has the largest share in terms of the number of tourism events and activities in the GCC countries.
In conclusion, the approval of the unified GCC tourist visa is a significant step forward for the GCC countries.
It will surely boost tourism in the region and help to achieve the GCC 2030 strategy.
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