GCC countries welcomed 68.1 million international visitors in 2023, with tourism revenues amounting to $110.4 billion for the same year, according to GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi.

 

Albudaiwi emphasised, accrding to a GCC General Secretariat press release, that the approval of projects under the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2023–2030 aims to enhance the tourism position of the GCC countries regionally and internationally. This initiative aligns with the directives of the leaders of the GCC countries, and is supported by the efforts of the Committee of Their Excellencies Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the GCC.

 

Albudaiwi made these remarks during a speech at the 9th meeting of the Committee of Their Excellencies Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the GCC, held in Kuwait. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs in Kuwait Abdul Rahman Badah Al Mutairi, President of the current session.

 

The Secretary-General expressed pride in the remarkable achievements of Gulf countries, which enhance their standing on the international stage and reaffirm the GCC’s commitment to a prosperous future for the region’s tourism sector.

 

"Additionally, tourism revenues amounted to $110.4 billion for 2023, with a growth rate of 28.2% compared to 2019, marking a significant leap that exceeded all expectations, achieving 58.7% of the 2030 target of $188 billion. The market share of the GCC countries in global tourism stood at 5.2% for arrivals and 7.2% for international tourism revenues, solidifying their position as a key hub in the global tourism scene," he said.

 

In terms of GDP contribution, Albudaiwi confirmed that the tourism sector made a notable economic contribution of $223.4 billion to the GCC’s GDP, with an annual growth rate of 29.4% between 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the tourism sector added 1.5 million jobs in 2023, with a growth rate of 17% compared to 2020, he pointed out.