More than 75 million tourists visited Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2025, marking a 4.8% increase in the region’s tourism sector compared to the previous year.
Intra-GCC Travel and Saudi Arabia’s Visitor Share
Intra-GCC travel reached approximately 20 million tourists in 2025, representing a 3.6% rise from 2024. Saudi Arabia reported hosting about 3.2 million visitors from other GCC countries during the first half of 2026, reflecting ongoing momentum in regional tourism flows.
Saudi Arabia also welcomed nearly 30 million international tourists throughout 2025, accounting for close to 40% of the total visitors across GCC states.
Tourism Spending and Economic Impact
Tourism expenditures within the GCC exceeded $131 billion in 2025,
up from roughly $120 billion in 2024, according to GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. The tourism industry contributed about $254 billion to GCC economies last year, equivalent to 11.4% of the regional GDP.
GCC Tourism Ministers Meeting and Strategic Initiatives
The 10th meeting of GCC ministers responsible for tourism was held in Manama, Bahrain, and chaired by Bahrain’s Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi. Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb represented Saudi Arabia during Bahrain’s presidency of the 46th session of the GCC.
Discussions among ministers focused on a joint action plan to accelerate tourism recovery, collaborative promotional efforts, and the development of integrated Gulf
tourism packages. Plans also included strengthening the GCC’s presence in targeted international markets.
The meeting addressed establishing a joint media strategy, creating a tourism data dashboard, and advancing cooperation by proposing a unified tourist-guide license and common hotel-classification guidelines. Ministers also discussed selecting the GCC Tourism Capital for 2027 to support regional integration.
Prior to this, an extraordinary meeting of GCC tourism ministers took place in April 2026 to ensure coordination and readiness in the sector.
Official Statements on Growth and Future Focus
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi described the 2025 tourism figures as reflecting more than growth numbers; they signify substantial economic and developmental progress. He identified three
priorities for the next phase: enhancing sector resilience and preparedness, accelerating joint initiatives and projects, and deepening tourism integration among GCC states.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its dedication to supporting joint GCC tourism programs and advancing cooperation to strengthen connectivity across Gulf destinations.
GCC Tourism Strategy and Future Plans
The GCC Tourism Strategy 2023-2030 guides the region’s tourism development efforts, emphasizing sustainable growth and collaboration. The ministers outlined ongoing initiatives aimed at maintaining the sector’s robust expansion, with the GCC Tourism Capital for 2027 planned as a focus point for promoting regional tourism products.
