Muscat: Data released by the Statistical Center of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf showed that tourism revenues rose 39.6 per cent compared to 2019 and 8.9 per cent year-on-year from 2023, raising the GCC’s share of global tourism revenues to 7.5 per cent. The growth reflects continued strong inbound tourism performance, with notable increases in visitor numbers, revenues and employment.
According to the centre’s report, Travel and Tourism in the GCC Countries for 2024, the total number of international tourists visiting the region reached 72.2 million last year. This represents a 51.5 per cent increase compared to 2019 and a 6.1 per cent rise over 2023, lifting the GCC’s global tourism market share to 5.2 per cent. The figures underline a recovery that has exceeded pre-Covid levels, supported by expanded air connectivity, visa facilitation measures and a broader range of tourism offerings.
The data also highlighted growing diversity in source markets. Tourists from the Middle East accounted for 18.8 per cent of total arrivals, followed by Europe at 14.6 per cent, and Asia and the Pacific at 14.5 per cent, signalling rising demand from long-haul and international markets beyond the region.
Intra-GCC tourism remained a major contributor, representing 41.3 per cent of total international tourists, with an average annual growth rate of 51.2 per cent between 2019 and 2024. This growth reflects the success of regional tourism integration initiatives, eased mobility and coordinated events across Gulf states.
Rising demand has been matched by significant expansion in tourism infrastructure. The total number of hotel establishments across the GCC reached 11,200, offering around 711,500 rooms, while employment in the tourism sector increased to 1.7 million workers in 2024, up 33 per cent compared to 2020. Officials said this highlights tourism’s growing social role in job creation and economic stability.
The direct contribution of travel and tourism to the region’s economy stood at US$93.5 billion in 2024, achieving 64.1 per cent of the GCC’s 2030 target. Overall, tourism’s contribution to Gulf GDP rose to 4.3 per cent, reinforcing its transition from a supporting sector to a core economic pillar within national diversification strategies.
Sustainability indicators also showed positive momentum, with the average length of stay rising to 8.4 nights and average tourist spending increasing to US$674.6. Improved labour productivity and progress towards the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2030, with completion rates ranging between 56 per cent and 78 per cent, suggest the region is well positioned for continued growth, particularly in cultural, environmental, business and conference tourism.