Al Ain named Gulf Capital of Tourism as GCC moves closer to unified tourism visa

Kuwait: As the Gulf Capital of Tourism for 2025, Al Ain will host a range of tourism events and programmes throughout the year, coinciding with the GCC’s progress toward a unified tourism visa. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, said, “This initiative will help foster intra-GCC tourism and highlight the city’s unique attractions.”

Leading the UAE delegation to the ninth meeting of ministers responsible for tourism in the GCC countries in Kuwait, Al Marri said that the UAE is committed to supporting Gulf-wide tourism initiatives aimed at sustainability and economic growth.

Al Marri emphasized that the meeting represented a significant step towards implementing the unified Gulf tourist visa, which he believes will significantly boost the region’s tourism sector. “The unified visa will showcase the diverse attractions of the GCC countries, attracting more tourists and encouraging longer stays,” he said.

“Tourism in the Gulf has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, showcasing the sector’s resilience and potential,” Al Marri said, citing figures from the GCC Statistical Center.

By the end of 2023, 68.1 million international tourists had visited Gulf countries, a 42.8 per cent increase compared to 2019. Meanwhile, international tourism revenues in the GCC rose by 28.2 per cent, reaching $110.4 billion in the same period.

Al Marri highlighted that these figures signal new opportunities for Gulf tourism, reinforcing the need for deeper regional cooperation under the GCC Tourism Strategy 2023-2030. He also stressed the importance of enhancing ties with global tourism markets, particularly in light of evolving international trends.

The Minister stressed the importance of exchanging tourism statistics and sharing data across the region. “By improving the digital connectivity of tourism data, we can follow global best practices and strengthen collaboration between the tourism and culture sectors within the GCC,” he explained.

He further noted that the UAE pays the utmost attention to driving sustainable tourism growth and adopting international best practices. Thanks to initiatives such as the National Tourism Strategy 2031, the UAE has experienced continued success in the tourism sector. “In 2024, hotel revenues reached Dh37.1 billion, a 4 per cent increase compared to 2023, with hotel occupancy rates also rising by 2.7 per cent to approximately 78 per cent,” he stated.

Al Marri praised the recommendations and outcomes of the meeting and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to collaborating with GCC counterparts to improve the effectiveness of joint tourism projects. “The UAE is fully prepared to share expertise and strengthen our collective efforts, contributing to the development of the GCC member states,” he affirmed.