More than 75 million tourists visited the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2025, as the region’s tourism sector expanded by 4.8% compared to the previous year. Approximately 20 million travelers moved between GCC member states during 2025, marking a 3.6% increase from 2024.
Saudi Arabia’s Significant Tourism Share and Regional Travel in 2026
Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly 40% of the total GCC tourism arrivals in 2025, welcoming about 30 million international tourists. The kingdom also received approximately 3.2 million tourists from other GCC countries in the first half of 2026, reflecting sustained regional travel demand.
Economic Impact and Ministerial Coordination in Manama
Total tourism expenditure across GCC countries surpassed $131 billion in 2025, up from
around $120 billion in 2024. The direct and indirect contributions of tourism to GCC economies reached an estimated $254 billion, equating to 11.4% of the region’s GDP. These figures were presented by GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi during the 10th meeting of GCC tourism ministers held in Manama, chaired by Bahrain’s Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi. Saudi Arabia was represented by Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb as part of Bahrain’s presidency of the GCC’s 46th session.
Next Phase Strategies Under GCC Tourism Strategy 2023-2030
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stated the tourism numbers “do not merely represent indicators of growth” but highlight substantive contributions to economic diversification
and development within GCC states. The GCC Tourism Strategy 2023-2030 guides the sector’s development, focusing on protecting and sustaining tourism gains amid changing conditions. The next phase aims to strengthen resilience, accelerate joint initiatives, and deepen integration among member states.
Joint Initiatives and Integrated GCC Tourism Development
During the ministers’ meeting, discussions covered a joint GCC action plan targeting rapid tourism recovery and coordinated promotional efforts. Ministers planned joint marketing campaigns, the establishment of a GCC tourism data and indicators dashboard, and the development of gulf-wide tourism packages and programs. Initiatives considered included creating a unified tourist-guide license, common hotel classification standards, and selecting the GCC Tourism
Capital for 2027. International cooperation and joint tourism activities were also addressed. An extraordinary GCC tourism ministers meeting was held in April 2026 to maintain coordination and sector readiness.
