A planned single unified tourist visa for the Gulf is expected to revolutionize the region’s tourism industry, according to hospitality and tourism experts. The visa, which is set to be introduced within the next two years, will open up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations to tourists from the Middle East and around the world. Currently, visa restrictions deter many travelers from visiting certain GCC countries. Stephan Vanden Auweele, CEO of United Hospitality Management, described the new visa as a game-changer for travel within the GCC, making it much easier for tourists to explore multiple countries in the region. Abdulla bin Touq, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, stated that the visa initiative is an integral part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy. The visa endorsement by GCC tourism ministers is expected to be presented at the upcoming GCC summit. Zahara Kurji D’Souza, a travel counseling company owner, highlighted the difficulty travelers face in obtaining visas for different GCC countries, which often leads them to choose Dubai or Abu Dhabi as a one-stop destination. The implementation of the unified visa is predicted to not only simplify travel but also promote collaboration between hotels and tour operators, generating new opportunities for the hospitality and tourism sectors across the GCC. With a total of 10,649 hotels in the GCC region by the end of 2022, the new visa is set to contribute to the growth and attractiveness of the region as a global destination. The GCC tourism strategy aims to welcome 128.7 million visitors by 2030, with 39.8 million visits recorded in 2022. Naim Maadad, founder of Gates Hospitality, emphasized the opportunity for the industry to showcase the diverse offerings of each Gulf state and highlight the unity and cooperation within the region. The introduction of the visa is also expected to increase the confidence of global hospitality chains in investing in the GCC.
Experts believe that the plan for a single Gulf visa will revolutionize tourism.
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