Muscat:GCC: More than 20 million tourists traveled between GCC countries in 2025, marking a 3.6 percent increase from the previous year.
According to Oman News Agency, the Statistical Centre for the GCC (GCC-Stat) published a bulletin to coincide with World Tourism Day, highlighting key tourism indicators and digital advancements in the region. The bulletin, titled "Gulf Tourism in the Era of Smart Transformation," forecasts that by 2035, tourism will contribute approximately USD 365.7 billion to the GCC's GDP and create an estimated 5.8 million jobs.
The Centre emphasized the role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in transforming Gulf tourism. These technologies are enhancing the tourist experience, supporting decision-making, and improving the management of tourism destinations.
Preliminary data revealed that inbound tourists to the GCC reached about 75.7 million in 2025, a 4.9 percent increase from 2024. Tourism revenues rose by 9.7 percent to approximately USD 131.9 billion. The growth in revenue suggests an increase in economic value from tourism, with average revenue per inbound tourist reaching USD 1,743.
The number of hotel establishments in the GCC grew to about 12.4 thousand, a 4.8 percent rise from 2024, indicating ongoing investment in accommodation facilities. The Centre also noted the importance of advanced digital infrastructure in developing tourism services and experiences.
All GCC countries scored at least 60 points in the mobile application development index, showcasing their digital capabilities to innovate tourism applications and enhance the visitor experience. The bulletin stressed the significance of integrating tourism data across GCC countries and developing shared digital platforms to offer a cohesive Gulf tourism experience. This approach aims to maximize economic benefits and strengthen the region's global tourism standing.
