The Gulf’s travel and tourism sector has marked a significant leap, contributing approximately 11.4% to the region’s GDP in 2024 — a value of US$247.1 billion, according to the latest figures released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat).
This represents a 31.9% growth in sectoral contribution compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, highlighting a robust rebound and steady expansion of the industry across the Gulf region.
Globally, the sector accounted for 2.2% of total GDP in 2024, placing the Gulf well ahead of the international average. The outlook remains promising, with projections indicating that by 2034, tourism could make up 13.3% of the GCC’s GDP — an estimated $371.2 billion. The average annual growth rate for the sector over the next decade is forecasted to exceed 4.2%.
Intra-GCC travel has also seen a remarkable upswing. From 2019 to 2023, the number of tourists moving between Gulf countries grew at an average annual rate of 41.5%. In 2023 alone, 26.5% of all international tourists arriving in the GCC were from within the region — underlining the strength of domestic and regional tourism.
These figures underscore the Gulf’s rising prominence as a global tourism hub and reflect the region’s strategic investments in infrastructure, hospitality, and travel experiences tailored for both regional and international visitors.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
