Surge in Intra-GCC Tourism by 52.1% Over 5 Years: What It Means for Business Opportunities in Oman
The travel and tourism sector’s added value to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is projected to reach approximately $247.1 billion by the end of 2024, marking a 31.9 percent increase from 2019.
According to data from the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the sector’s contribution to the GCC’s GDP is expected to rise to 13.3 percent by 2034, equivalent to $371.2 billion. This underscores the sector’s vital and expanding role as a key driver of comprehensive development across the GCC, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
The data also highlights the sector’s impact on enhancing intra-Gulf integration, with the intra-GCC tourism index growing by 52.1 percent in 2024 compared to 2019. The number of tourists traveling between GCC countries reached 19.3 million, representing 26.7 percent of total international tourist arrivals.
The report titled “Tourism in the GCC: A Gateway to Sustainable Development and Transformation,” released by the Gulf Statistical Center on World Tourism Day (September 27), emphasizes tourism as a major engine of direct and indirect job creation. The sector’s employment contribution is valued at approximately $4.3 billion in 2024, reflecting a 24.9 percent growth since 2019. It is anticipated that the travel and tourism sector will generate around 1.3 million new jobs by 2034.
Furthermore, the sector has become a significant platform for empowering youth and women, with female workforce participation reaching 13 بالمائة, a remarkable 73.2 percent increase compared to 2019.
GCC nations have also made notable strides in sustainable ecotourism through their dedication to conserving natural resources and fostering sustainable tourism practices. In 2023, the proportion of land and marine nature reserves within the GCC countries rose to 19 percent of their total area, an increase of 7.5 percent compared to 2022.
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The GCC’s travel and tourism sector is rapidly evolving into a key economic driver, with its GDP contribution expected to surge to $371.2 billion by 2034, opening significant opportunities for investment in hospitality, ecotourism, and intra-regional travel services. Smart investors and entrepreneurs in Oman should capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable and youth-empowering tourism initiatives, while businesses must navigate the competitive landscape shaped by rising regional integration and the increasing focus on ecological preservation.
