By Richard Stolz

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, encompassing Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and rapid modern development, making it a prime destination for global travelers.

Tourism in the GCC has experienced remarkable growth, driven by strategic initiatives, substantial investments, and a focus on cultural heritage and modern attractions. The region is now a major player in global tourism, attracting millions of visitors each year.

This article delves into the unique tourism landscapes across these countries, highlighting their growth, offerings, and future projections.

Country-by-country analysis

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to diversify its economy by fostering non-oil sectors, especially tourism. By 2030, the country seeks to welcome 150 million visits annually, generating 1.6 million jobs. Key initiatives include visa reforms, luxury infrastructure development, and promoting cultural and religious tourism.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE's Tourism Strategy 2031 focuses on enhancing the nation's appeal and sustainability. The strategy promotes a unified tourism identity, diversifies tourism products, builds tourism capabilities, and increases investments. The UAE expects to host 40 million overnight visitors by 2030, with a hotel supply increase to 304,000 keys. The country's tourism offerings include luxury hotels, cultural sites like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and adventure tourism with desert safaris and theme parks.

Qatar

Qatar aims to attract 7.1 million overnight guests by 2030, focusing on cultural attractions, sports, urban development, and family-oriented activities with plans to increase its hotel supply to 59,000 keys. Key attractions include urban centers like Msheireb Downtown Doha, cultural sites such as Katara Cultural Village, and sports tourism events like the FIFA World Cup.

Bahrain

Bahrain's Tourism Strategy 2022-2026, part of the Economic Recovery Plan, aims to increase tourism's GDP contribution and position Bahrain as a global tourist hub. The country plans to welcome 14.1 million visitors by 2026, with hotel supply projected to reach 35.5 thousand keys. Bahrain's tourism offerings include cultural sites like Bahrain Fort, leisure attractions such as Bahrain Bay beach, and the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Oman

Oman's National Tourism Strategy, launched in 2016, aims to diversify the economy and create jobs through enriching tourism experiences. The country projects 11.7 million overnight visitors by 2040, with a hotel supply target of 65,000 keys. Oman's attractions include natural landscapes like Khareef Salalah and cultural heritage sites such as the Frankincense Trail.

Kuwait

Kuwait's Vision 2035 focuses on sustainable growth with tourism as a central element. The strategy includes developing sports, entertainment, and leisure facilities to attract domestic and international visitors. Kuwait aims to enhance its tourism infrastructure significantly, though specific projections are currently limited. Key attractions include cultural and historic sites like the Kuwait Towers and modern malls and parks.

Comparative Overview

The GCC region showcases a blend of traditional heritage and modern attractions, positioning itself as a prominent global destination. Each country within the GCC has unique offerings that contribute to the region's overall growth. The collective efforts of the GCC countries aim to more than double the number of overnight guests by 2030, with ambitious national strategies driving this growth.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE lead in overnight guest targets, aiming for 39 million and 40 million visitors, respectively, by 2030. Qatar and Bahrain also have substantial growth targets, with 7.1 million and 14.1 million overnight guests, respectively. Oman projects 11.7 million visitors by 2040, emphasizing long-term sustainable growth. Focusing on enhancing its tourism infrastructure, Kuwait aims to become a competitive player in the regional market.

Hotel supply is set to expand significantly across the region, with Saudi Arabia targeting 450,000 keys and the UAE aiming for 304,000 keys by 2030. Qatar and Oman also plan significant increases, with 59,000 and 65,000 keys, respectively, while Bahrain targets 35.5 thousand keys.

Tourism workforce expansion is another critical aspect, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the way. Vision 2030 aims for 1.6 million tourism jobs in Saudi Arabia, while the UAE projects an increase to 872,000 jobs by 2030. Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain also plan significant employment growth to support their expanding tourism sectors.

For a comprehensive analysis, including detailed statistics, growth drivers, and strategic recommendations, download our publication "Tourism in the GCC: A Comparative Country-by-Country Analysis." This report offers valuable insights for stakeholders, investors, and policymakers interested in the future of tourism in the GCC region.