The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to transform regional travel with the upcoming launch of the GCC Grand Tours Visa, a unified tourist visa designed to streamline access across its six member nations.
The pioneering initiative is scheduled for a launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, aiming to create a cohesive travel experience for visitors exploring the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This move is expected to significantly enhance the Persian Gulf's appeal as a unified tourist destination, fostering deeper regional integration. UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri emphasized that the single visa will be a key tool for strengthening ties between member countries and increasing the attractiveness of the Persian Gulf as a holistic tourist hub.
Previously, international travelers faced the complexity and additional costs of obtaining individual visas for each GCC country. The GCC Grand Tours Visa will eliminate these barriers, allowing exploration of multiple nations through a single, simplified application process. This simplification is anticipated to drive a substantial increase in tourism and economic prosperity across the member states.
While the specific cost and validity period of the visa are still under finalization, a paid model is expected, with potential durations ranging from 30 to 90 days. The application procedure will be entirely digital, managed through a centralized online platform for enhanced accessibility and efficiency. The GCC tourism sector contributed an estimated $247.1 billion to the region's GDP in 2024, a notable increase from 2019 figures. Projections indicate continued growth, with expectations to reach $371.2 billion by 2034. The unified visa is anticipated to further amplify these economic gains, potentially attracting an additional 22 million visitor arrivals and generating $26 billion in visitor spending by 2030. This surge in tourism is also expected to create approximately 1.3 million new employment opportunities by 2034.
Beyond the economic advantages, the GCC Grand Tours Visa is set to strengthen inter-GCC relationships and unlock new opportunities for international tourism. It encourages the development of comprehensive travel itineraries, promoting increased economic activity and robust growth in the hospitality sector. It is expected that demand for hotel services will increase, especially in lesser-known cities, which could lead to an increase in hotel occupancy by up to 25% within the next three years. This initiative is intrinsically linked to broader efforts toward economic integration, potentially paving the way for collaborative projects like the GCC Railway network, which is already under construction, covering approximately 2117 kilometers, and planned to connect all six countries by 2030.
The upcoming launch in late 2025 will serve as a critical testing ground, allowing for the refinement of operational systems and the proactive addressing of any logistical challenges before its full implementation, ensuring a smooth and successful rollout.