$120.2 billion in international tourism revenues in the GCC countries

Data issued by the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf showed that international tourism revenues in the GCC countries recorded 120.2 billion US dollars in 2024, an increase of 39.6% compared to 2019, and 8.9% compared to 2023, bringing the Gulf share of global tourism revenues to 7.5%.

These data reflect the continued strong performance of inbound tourism to the GCC countries during the year 2024, recording a remarkable growth in the numbers of visitors, revenues and jobs, which enhances the sector’s role as one of the main drivers of economic diversification and supporting the gross domestic product.

The “Travel and Tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for the year 2024” report issued by the Center indicated that the total number of international tourists coming to the Gulf Cooperation Council reached 72.2 million tourists in 2024 AD, achieving a growth of 51.5% compared to 2019 AD, and 6.1% compared to 2023 AD, bringing the region’s market share to 5.2% of global tourism, which reflects a recovery exceeding pre-previous levels. The pandemic, driven by the expansion of air connectivity, visa facilitation, and the diversification of tourism products.

The data also showed an increasing diversity in tourist source markets. The Middle East region accounted for 18.8% of the total tourist arrivals, followed by Europe with 14.6%, and Asia and the Pacific with 14.5%, which indicates the increasing attractiveness of the region outside the scope of intra-tourism, and the growth of demand from long-term markets.

Intra-Gulf tourism represented 41.3% of the total international tourists, with an average annual growth of 51.2% during the period 2019-2024 AD, which reflects the success of the Gulf tourism integration initiatives, facilitating transportation, and promoting joint events.

The high demand was reflected in the expansion of the sector’s infrastructure, as the total number of hotel establishments in the Gulf Cooperation Council reached 11.2 thousand establishments, containing about 711.5 thousand rooms. The number of workers in the tourism sector also increased to 1.7 million workers in 2024, with an annual growth of 33.0% compared to 2020, which confirms the social role of tourism in generating job opportunities and supporting economic stability.

The direct GDP of the travel and tourism sector recorded 93.5 billion US dollars in 2024, achieving 64.1% of the 2030 target, while the sector’s contribution to the Gulf GDP rose to 4.3%, which reflects the transition of tourism from a supportive sector to a basic economic pillar within diversification plans.

Sustainability indicators showed that the average tourist length of stay increased to 8.4 nights, and average spending increased to US$674.6, with labor productivity in the sector improving. In light of achieving completion rates ranging between 56% and 78% of the goals of the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2030,; This makes the region poised for continued growth, especially with a focus on cultural, environmental, business and conference tourism.