International visitors to GCC countries rise to 72.2 million, surpassing pre-randemic levels.
MUSCAT, Jan 18: Data from the Statistical Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) showed that international tourism revenues in GCC countries reached USD 120.2 billion in 2024, marking an 8.9 percent increase compared to 2023 and a 39.6 percent rise from 2019. The region’s share of global tourism revenues rose to 7.5 percent, according to the “Travel and Tourism in the GCC Countries 2024 Report” issued Saturday.
The report highlighted the continued strong performance of inbound tourism across the GCC, citing growth in visitor numbers, revenues, and employment as evidence of the sector’s increasing role in economic diversification and contribution to GDP.
International tourist arrivals in the GCC reached 72.2 million in 2024, up 6.1 percent from 2023 and 51.1 percent from 2019, raising the region’s share of global tourism to 5.2 percent. Analysts attributed the growth to expanded air connectivity, visa facilitation, and a diversification of tourism offerings, reflecting a recovery that exceeds pre-pandemic levels.
Tourist source markets also diversified, with the Middle East accounting for 18.8 percent of arrivals, Europe 14.6 percent, and Asia-Pacific 14.5 percent, signaling growing appeal beyond intra-regional travel. Intra-GCC tourism represented 14.3 percent of total international arrivals, with an average annual growth rate of 51.2 percent between 2019 and 2024, underscoring the success of Gulf tourism integration initiatives and joint events.
Rising demand prompted sector expansion, with 11,200 hotel establishments in the GCC and 711,500 rooms. Employment in the tourism sector increased to 1.7 million workers in 2024, a 33 percent rise from 2020, confirming the sector’s social role in generating jobs and supporting economic stability.
The direct GDP of the travel and tourism sector reached USD 93.5 billion in 2024, achieving approximately 64.1 percent of the GCC Tourism Strategy 2030 target. The sector’s contribution to overall GDP rose to 4.3 percent, reflecting tourism’s evolution from a supporting role to a core pillar of economic diversification.
Sustainability indicators showed an increase in the average length of stay to 8.4 nights and average spending to USD 674.6, along with improved labor productivity. The report noted that GCC countries are on track to achieve between 56 and 78 percent of 2030 targets across cultural, eco, business, and conference tourism segments.
The Statistical Center of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, headquartered in Oman, serves as the official body for GCC data, statistics, and information, supporting national statistical centers and planning agencies across member states.
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