In a significant development for the tourism industry, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, expressed optimism about the potential of a unified Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visa during the eighth meeting of GCC tourism ministers in Qatar on Monday.
According to reports from the Saudi Press Agency, ministers convened to explore avenues for strengthening collaboration to implement the proposed tourist visa.
Addressing the gathering, Al-Khateeb underscored the importance of the GCC Supreme Council’s decision, highlighting the commitment of member states to enhance cooperation and forge closer ties within the tourism sector.
Al-Khateeb emphasized that the unification of tourist visas would elevate the global appeal of Gulf countries as premier tourist destinations. He lauded the progress made in implementing the Gulf Tourism Strategy and stressed the need to activate initiatives and programs outlined within the strategy.
Highlighting the resilience of the tourism industry, Al-Khateeb pointed out that the GCC had outperformed other regions in recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, Saudi Arabia witnessed a remarkable 156 percent surge in tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019, surpassing both regional and global recovery rates.
Attributing this achievement to robust collaboration among GCC countries, Al-Khateeb outlined Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans, including an $800 billion investment in cities and tourist destinations by 2030 as part of Vision 2030 goals.
Despite progress, Al-Khateeb noted that the travel and tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP of GCC countries in 2022 stood at 7.8 percent, falling short of expectations. He stressed the need to strive for a 10 percent contribution in the coming years.
Al-Khateeb emphasized the region’s potential for further investments in major tourism projects, underscoring the importance of strengthening joint Gulf tourism efforts and maximizing the benefits of attracting international tourists.
In conclusion, he reiterated the commitment of GCC leaders to support continued achievements and successes in the tourism sector.
