The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tourism industry recorded an economic contribution of approximately $254.7 billion in 2025. The region welcomed 75.7 million visitors, with inbound tourism spending reaching around $131.9 billion. From 2019 to 2025, the sector’s economic contribution grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%, surpassing the global average growth rate of 6.7%. In 2025, the GCC accounted for about 5% of worldwide tourist arrivals and generated 6.9% of global tourism receipts.
GCC Statistical Centre Hosts Workshop on Tourism Data Integration
The GCC Statistical Centre organized the eighth Regional Workshop on Innovation in Tourism Statistics in Muscat in 2026. The two-day event convened 30 specialists
from statistical agencies across GCC member states. The workshop focused on enhancing the integration of tourism data from multiple sources, advancing trend analysis methodologies, and addressing statistical gaps in regional tourism data.
Official Insights on Tourism’s Role and Data Importance
Intisar Al Wahaibi, Director General of the GCC Statistical Centre, emphasized that tourism is steadily expanding throughout the Gulf and has become an integral pillar of national development frameworks in the GCC. She highlighted the necessity of reliable tourism statistics to accurately measure the sector’s economic impact, monitor ongoing progress, and guide investment and policy strategies.
Efforts to Improve Data Quality and Regional Collaboration
The workshop addressed the importance of improving the quality, consistency, and comparability
of tourism statistics across GCC member states. Participants examined technical processes such as data linkage, matching, calibration, and reconciliation to integrate diverse data sources effectively. The discussions also covered legal and institutional frameworks required for secure data sharing within the region. These efforts aim to strengthen collaboration between entities managing tourism data and establish uniform methodologies, thereby supporting evidence-based decision-making and enhancing the sector’s contribution to sustainable economic growth in the GCC.
