Tourism revenues across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached $131.9 billion in 2025, marking an annual increase of 9.7 per cent, while tourist arrivals rose 4.9 per cent to 75.7 million, according to the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT).
Data published in the Centre’s weekly bulletin, titled “Gulf
Tourism in the Era of Smart Transformation,” showed that travel between GCC
countries reached 20.1 million tourists, up 3.6 percent compared with 2024.
The number of hotel establishments across the region also
increased by 4.8 per cent to 12,400, reflecting the continued expansion of
tourism infrastructure and accommodation capacity to meet growing demand,
alongside a wider range of options for visitors.
The figures underscore tourism’s growing role in supporting
economic diversification across GCC economies, with the sector contributing to
activities spanning transport, aviation, hospitality, retail and entertainment.
Tourism also supports investment, job creation and the
expansion of non-oil economic activity.
The bulletin also examined digital readiness across the
region and its contribution to tourism development.
GCC countries scored between 34 and 99 points in the 2025
Emerging Technology Adoption Index, with three member states ranking among the
world’s top 20.
In the Mobile App Development Index, GCC countries recorded
scores ranging from 60 to 77 points.
Meanwhile, scores in the Online Government Services Index
ranged between 56 and 99 points, with three GCC countries placing among the
world’s top 25.
GCC-STAT noted that advances in digital government services
can help simplify travel and accommodation procedures while improving the
efficiency of services provided to visitors.
The bulletin highlighted digital transformation as a key
factor in strengthening the competitiveness of Gulf tourism, particularly
through the use of data and artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand
tourists’ needs and preferences.
It also stressed the importance of greater digital
integration among GCC countries and the development of shared platforms linking
booking and transport services. Such initiatives could provide visitors with a
more seamless and integrated tourism experience while encouraging travel within
the region. -TradeArabia News Service
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