Statistical center of countries "cooperation" Organizes a workshop on the contribution of tourism to the economy
Muscat, October 12, 2017 – The regional workshop on “Measuring the Contribution of Tourism to the Economy”, organized by the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, stressed the necessity of adopting comprehensive methodologies to measure the total contribution of tourism, which provides a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the real role of the sector in supporting Gulf economies, and helps in formulating effective policies based on evidence and reliable statistical data.
The seminar discussed the concepts of measuring tourism and its methodological frameworks in accordance with international standards, mechanisms for linking statistical data and administrative records related to visitors and tourism spending, and the importance of integration between national sources to estimate the direct and indirect impact of tourism on gross domestic product and job opportunities, with the participation of a number of specialists and experts from national statistical agencies and stakeholders concerned with tourism in the GCC countries, along with representatives from international and regional organizations. Related.
The seminar sessions discussed a number of topics, most notably the concepts of measuring tourism and its methodological frameworks in accordance with international standards, mechanisms for linking statistical data and administrative records related to visitors and tourism spending, and the importance of integration between national sources to estimate the direct and indirect impact of tourism on the gross domestic product and job opportunities.
The workshop also discussed the national experiences of the GCC countries in preparing tourism sub-accounts, and ways to develop them to keep pace with the economic and development transformations in the region. It stressed the importance of unifying the concepts and classifications used in tourism statistics at the level of the GCC countries, and enhancing coordination between statistical agencies and tourism entities, which contributes to building a reliable database that contributes to supporting development decisions and policies.
Participants stressed the importance of investing in building national capabilities and adopting modern technologies in collecting and analyzing data, including the use of big data and non-traditional information sources.
During the episode, the GCC tourism statistics platform was introduced, which provides interconnected data for economic and tourism information, to serve those concerned with tourism development in the GCC countries, including officials, investors, and operators of the tourism sector, to support decision-making based on realistic information about the market, tourism spending, tourism investments, and employment in the sector.
His Excellency Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Omani Minister of Heritage and Tourism, who sponsored the seminar, stressed that the tourism sector in the Arab Gulf region is witnessing rapid growth and a qualitative transformation in structure, services and investment. Pointing out that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries give the tourism sector a pivotal position within their economic diversification strategies, in recognition of its role in creating job opportunities, stimulating the productive and service sectors, and enhancing the sustainability of development, pointing out that achieving this role requires accurate and reliable statistical systems that enable measuring the true value of tourism’s contribution to the gross domestic product and to the national economy in general.
For her part, Her Excellency Intisar bint Abdullah Al Wahaibiyah, Director General of the Gulf Statistical Centre, said that the tourism sector in the GCC countries has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. The number of international tourists coming to the GCC countries increased by 51.5% compared to 2019, reaching 72.2 million tourists in 2024, and tourism revenues amounted to about 119.6 billion US dollars, representing 7.5% of the global market share of tourism revenues.
She pointed to the outstanding performance achieved by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the Travel and Tourism Development Index for 2024, issued by the World Economic Forum, to reflect their continuous efforts to advance the tourism sector and enhance its competitiveness at the regional and global levels.
In turn, His Excellency Samer Ibrahim Al-Kharashi, Director of the Regional Office of the World Tourism Organization for the Middle East, said that developing the tourism measurement system and enhancing statistical capabilities represent an essential pillar for supporting decision-making and building evidence-based policies, pointing out that tourism statistics are no longer just numbers, but rather a strategic tool for measuring the economic, social and environmental impact of tourism, and directing investment towards sustainable development.
He explained that the global tourism sector continues to recover steadily, as the number of international tourists rose to about 690 million visitors during the first half of 2025, an increase of 5% over last year, expecting continued growth by the end of the year at a rate ranging between 3 and 5%. He pointed out that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries recorded a strong performance, receiving more than 75 million visitors in 2024, an increase of 11% over the previous year.
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