Between them, the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council – namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – are the main hub of business and tourism in the Middle East region.
Yet, despite their close ties and geographical proximity, each has maintained separate visa systems for travellers up till now.
That is set to change, though, with the imminent launch of the Unified GCC visa in December 2024. This legislation will simplify entry to all of these countries through one officially recognised permit.
According to some experts, this measure is expected to attract an estimated 129 million visitors to the region by 2030. Many of whom will be coming specifically for the purposes of ‘bleisure’, i.e., business and leisure.
Faced with this prospect, there is genuine excitement amongst the council’s hierarchy that the region’s economy will boost by as much as $188 billion.
So, join us as we explore the potential the Unified GCC Tourist Visa has for enhancing tourism and increasing trade in the region. And, ultimately, what it could mean for the GCC member countries in the years ahead.
Who are the Gulf Cooperation Council?
The Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) are an economic, political, intergovernmental and regional union that was established in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, in 1981.
It is headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is made up of the six aforementioned countries.
The primary purpose of this alliance is to strengthen the relations among its members and promote cross-country cooperation on issues related to their Arabic and Islamic cultures.
The presidency of the council rotates on an annual basis, with each country getting a turn.
What is the Unified GCC Visa?
Officially known as the GCC Grand Tours Visa, the Unified GCC Visa is a single permit that enables nationals of these six countries to freely travel within each one.
It shares similarities with the European Union’s Schengen Visa system and is expected to allow eligible citizens up to 30 days of travel once the scheme is launched.
What is the aim of the Unified GCC Visa?
The GCC Tourist Visa is seen as a critical success factor in helping the council meet its 2030 tourism plan.
This strategy is designed to catapult its members to into the top echelon of regional and international tourism destinations.
Just by making it easier for people to travel to and stay longer in this part of the Gulf State, it hopes to increase the sector’s contribution to its GDP.
It aims to do this primarily by improving hotel occupancy rates. (As of December 2022, the GCC had 10,649 hotels and 674,832 rooms).
However, a number of present and future infrastructure projects will supplement the launch of the visit visa for GCC residents scheme.
They include major upgrades and investments in all existing airport and cruise terminals in each of the six countries. Most notably in Dubai, where the airport will be moved 35 km southwest to accommodate a US$35 billion transformation that will see it become the world’s largest airport.
It also includes the construction of the Gulf Railway, which will eventually connect all six of the countries via a convenient rail network.
How Attractive is The GCC as a Tourist Region?
In 2023, around 40 million tourists visited each of the GCC’s six member countries. By 2030, this number is expected to swell to 129 million.
To do this, a concerted marketing effort will need to take place between them, which will need to make citizens aware of the opportunities for travel the visit visa for GCC residents will provide them with.
In addition, it will need to promote some of the main tourist sites in the region to trigger people’s desire to visit them.
At present, the GCC has 837 official tourist sites across the region, with the UAE possessing over half of them.
Subsequently, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait will have to promote attractions like Manama City, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and Al Mubarakiya, respectively, and quite prominently, to raise them to the consciousness of their new target market.
How Can the Unified Visa Boost Business?
The successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the annual Dubai Expo have drawn global attention to the Gulf’s capabilities to hold major events. So, it is fair to assume that more tournaments, conferences, exhibitions and conventions might happen in the future.
One of the most significant advantages, then, of a unified GCC visa for the business community, is that it would be easier for attendees to travel between events in the different member countries. This, in turn, would more likely encourage their attendance and participation at them.
Additionally, a unified visa could encourage cross-border business opportunities SMEs wouldn’t ordinarily easily have, which could significantly boost trade and investment across the Gulf.
Read more:
How Unified GCC Visa Could Boost Business and Leisure Travel?