logo
GCC visitors spending expected to reach $223.7 billion in 2034: GCC-Stat

GCC visitors spending expected to reach $223.7 billion in 2034: GCC-Stat

Al Etihad21-06-2025
21 June 2025 16:04
MUSCAT (WAM) The latest data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) revealed that the expected spending by visitors to GCC countries is projected to reach $223.7 billion in 2034, while the expected contribution of incoming visitor spending to total exports will reach 13.4%.The Centre also indicated that GCC countries are achieving steady progress in many tourism-related indicators.The data demonstrate that total international visitor spending in GCC countries amounted to $135.5 billion in 2023, with a 28.9% increase compared to the figures recorded in 2019.The GCC countries ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region's 2024 Safety and Security Index.
All GCC countries scored above the regional average of 5.86 points, taking into consideration that the index ranges from 1 to 7 points. They also ranked among the top 6 countries in terms of passport power in the Arab region.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

TRENDS discusses content industry transformations at Arab Youth Media Creativity Summit in Egypt
TRENDS discusses content industry transformations at Arab Youth Media Creativity Summit in Egypt

Al Etihad

time32 minutes ago

  • Al Etihad

TRENDS discusses content industry transformations at Arab Youth Media Creativity Summit in Egypt

20 Aug 2025 12:47 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its virtual office in Egypt and its Youth Council, and in cooperation with the UAE Journalists Association, began its participation in the second edition of the Arab Youth Media Creativity Summit 2025, held under the theme "Innovative Media… Pioneering Work". The Summit is organised by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, under the patronage of the Secretariat-General of the League of Arab States and the Egyptian Cabinet, and continues in New Alamein City, Egypt, until August his opening remarks at the Summit, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, emphasised that the Arab Youth Media Creativity Summit addresses an issue of vital importance that is closely tied to the future of young people, both professionally and personally. He noted that TRENDS' participation, through a delegation from its Youth Council, reflects the Centre's commitment to supporting Arab youth in exploring opportunities and challenges, particularly in the media Al-Ali added that the rapid transformations in media and creative content industries require urgent and effective action to enhance Arab cooperation in developing the media sector. He stressed the need for more investments in AI tools and harnessing them to serve Arab media objectives, while empowering young people to play a constructive and influential role in producing meaningful content in creative ways. Knowledge RevolutionDr. Al-Ali emphasised that there is a broad consensus among world governments on the pivotal role of youth in advancing both development and awareness. He noted that the media serves as a vital tool in winning both battles by producing creative content that not only supports national aspirations and goals but also keeps pace with the ongoing knowledge and technological revolution. Crucially, Al-Ali stressed, this vision cannot be realised without the active participation and direct contributions of young pointed out that the world is currently undergoing profound and rapid transformations in content creation, led by the AI revolution. AI, he said, is now shaping the future of the world and presents enormous opportunities and challenges for the media industry. This is especially true given the exponential growth in AI-driven media and content production tools, which have sparked fierce competition, not only between humans and machines, but also among institutions competing over how extensively they integrate AI tools into their operations. This, in turn, affects how effectively these institutions meet their objectives in terms of audience reach, influence, and Al-Ali went on to say that these developments are deepening the connection between media and the business sector, transforming media investment into a highly strategic and complex undertaking. He underlined that the media's growing entanglement with national security and social stability has made it more important than ever, particularly amid concerns over the potential misuse of AI in media and content creation. Such misuse, he warned, could negatively affect collective awareness and facilitate the spread of false and misleading information. Innovation in MediaSaqer Al-Suwaidi, researcher, official spokesperson for TRENDS Research & Advisory, and member of the TRENDS Youth Council Advisory Board, participated in the plenary session of the Arab Youth Media Creativity Summit 2025. He remarked that the summit's theme, "Innovative Media… Pioneering Work", reflects not only a slogan but a mindset and work ethic embraced by the UAE. Media innovation, he said, is a catalyst for creative ideas, transforming knowledge into a force that drives development and shapes the future. Al-Suwaidi noted that the media landscape in the UAE has evolved from ink to intelligence and structured digitalisation. Media institutions have transitioned to digital platforms and smart applications, all within a flexible legislative framework that upholds credibility and responsibility. Today, in the era of smart media, AI has become a central component in news production, tool development, and the reshaping of roles and required emphasised that this transformation brings with it significant challenges for innovative media capable of producing impactful work, including deepfakes, the rise of news bubbles, diminishing depth of knowledge, and the lack of ethical frameworks and intellectual property protections governing AI use. In this context, TRENDS Research & Advisory stands out as a pioneering model in bridging scientific research and media practice. The centre not only produces in-depth studies but also transforms research-based knowledge into credible media content, acting as a knowledge bridge between think tanks and media platforms. Practical Recommendations During the Summit's plenary session, Al-Suwaidi presented three practical recommendations to advance innovative media. First, he called for the establishment of an AI ethical governance framework in the media to set clear guidelines for the use of emerging technologies and hold platforms accountable through transparency and responsibility. Second, he stressed the importance of training media professionals in prompt engineering and understanding data biases. Third, he urged stronger partnerships between think tanks and media outlets to ensure that media content is grounded in reliable data and in-depth analysis. Al-Suwaidi concluded by stating that the UAE's media journey from ink to intelligence is not merely a tale of technological advancement, but a reflection of strategic foresight and future-oriented vision. It is a recognition that when media is rooted in research and knowledge, and guided by ethical values, it becomes a powerful soft force that safeguards national identity and drives innovation toward meaningful, transformative achievements in both the present and the future. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi

Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship continues to support education and innovation
Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship continues to support education and innovation

Web Release

time18 hours ago

  • Web Release

Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship continues to support education and innovation

The Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Graduate Scholarship, launched in collaboration between the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the University of Oxford in 2016, has achieved remarkable results by supporting UAE and Arab students to pursue advanced academic studies at the University of Oxford, one of the world's most renowned universities. This collaboration exemplifies a pioneering initiative to invest in knowledge and human capital by providing Arab students with seamless access to postgraduate courses. It helps them improve their intellectual capacity by learning under the guidance of globally acclaimed academics while building robust connections with exceptional peers from different countries and diverse fields. His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: 'This scholarship reflects the visionary principles of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aim to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future. The innovative initiative seeks to empower Emirati and Arab students by offering higher education that facilitates their knowledge-based skill development. Additionally, it highlights our commitment to reinforcing scientific, academic, and research excellence in the Arab world, in line with our mission to support students and researchers locally and regionally, further positioning the UAE as a leading global knowledge hub.' The scholarship also aims to nurture exceptional students by enabling them to pursue postgraduate courses at the University of Oxford and supporting their academic and research activities. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of a robust Arab knowledge society, in line with the UAE's commitment to positioning education and innovation as key pillars for creating a prosperous future. Since its inception, the Oxford – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Graduate Scholarship has played a pivotal role in developing the Arab higher education system and supporting exceptional students in gaining access to the world's leading university for postgraduate study. The scholarship has become influential in global knowledge settings by enabling dozens of Arab scholars to strengthen their research and scientific expertise across various critical disciplines. Moreover, the scholarship serves as a testament to MBRF's dedication to enhancing sustainable education and providing more opportunities for Arab youth. Building on the belief that strong educational and scientific research programs are essential for progress, the scholarship continues to shape the region's future by cultivating progressive, knowledge-driven societies.

Ministry of Education announces full readiness for academic year 2025-2026, removes centralised tests at end of second semester
Ministry of Education announces full readiness for academic year 2025-2026, removes centralised tests at end of second semester

Al Etihad

time19 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

Ministry of Education announces full readiness for academic year 2025-2026, removes centralised tests at end of second semester

19 Aug 2025 18:54 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Ministry of Education (MoE), in cooperation with the UAE Government Media Office, held a media briefing in the presence of Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, to outline its key preparations and development plans for the academic year 2025–2026, in line with national briefing was also attended by Mohammed Al Qassim, Under-Secretary of MoE; Sulaiman Al Kaabi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Professional Development Sector; and Amna Al Saleh, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary for the Curriculum and Assessment Sector, along with representatives of local media Amiri confirmed that since January, the MoE has been developing proactive plans to ensure public schools' readiness for the academic year 2025–2026, covering all aspects from facilities to advanced curricula. She noted that this year will introduce qualitative updates to boost the competitiveness of national education, including fundamental changes to the assessment tests at the end of the second semester have been removed and replaced with school-based summative assessments, with centralised tests remaining only in the first and third semesters. The new system optimises school days, diversifies student performance assessment tools, enhances learning quality and teaching methods, promotes student wellbeing and adjusts semester weights in line with the updated Amiri highlighted the approval of the second phase of the project-based learning and assessment (PBLA) system, now covering all Cycle 2 students in public and private schools applying the MoE follows the success of phase one, which engaged 127,500 students across 350 also noted the development of the national testing system through a new standardised proficiency test to measure Arabic, English and mathematics skills for grades 4–11 in public schools, with the first phase expected to include 26,000 Amiri reiterated the Ministry's focus on strengthening national identity through Arabic language and Islamic education as the foundation of student character. The new plan increases teaching time for both subjects in kindergarten and dedicates daily hours for Cycle-1 students to reinforce Arabic reading and writing, achieved by redistributing class periods without extending school Arabic baseline assessment will also be introduced in Grade 1 across 100 public and private schools to establish standard levels, enabling tailored support programmes to enhance linguistic skills and steadily raise proficiency, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to placing national identity at the core of operational readiness, Al Amiri announced the opening of nine new schools across several emirates, which will welcome over 25,000 students, supported by more than 800 new teachers. More than 460 schools have been maintained and equipped, 5,500 buses allocated, more than 10 million textbooks printed, and 47,000 laptops Qasim highlighted the Ministry's efforts to enhance students' quality of life through the new Physical Education, Sports and Health Programme in public schools. The first phase of the initiative promotes a healthy, sustainable lifestyle by improving school health environments, organising sports tournaments, restructuring PE classes, and introducing healthy Qasim reiterated the Ministry's continued commitment to partnership with parents and educational cadres, emphasising their important role in shaping the national education system. This year, a participatory educational vision was developed to enhance their involvement in part of this, Ta'aleem Councils are being restructured: the School Leadership Council will have 14 members, the Teachers Council 14 members, and the Young Teachers Council seven members. Additionally, 520 Parents' Councils, representing 6,140 members nationwide, will be activated to contribute to MoE decisions and announced the MoE's educational campaign, 'From Skill to Leadership,' engaging educators, parents and the community. The campaign aims to develop students' skills and transform them into achievements through three pillars: exploration, creating inspiring school environments to discover talent; development, enhancing skills via strategic partnerships and advanced training; and excellence, encouraging participation in local and international programmes will launch in the first month: 'My Inspiring Family' involving parents, and 'Inspiring People in the Field,' both designed to motivate students on their educational MoE confirmed that the coming academic year will see the introduction of its nationally developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum – the first of its kind in the UAE – providing lessons from both local and international communities on integrating AI into education. Approximately 1,000 teachers will implement the curriculum across all grades, aiming to prepare students to use AI responsibly and effectively in daily and future initiative will offer practical insights on harnessing AI in education, helping to shape local educational policies and contribute to the global discussion on the future of Ministry of Education continues to enhance the capabilities of its educational cadres through advanced training programmes. More than 23,000 educators participated in a specialised training week, totalling around 170 hours across 40 workshops for leaders and teachers and 20 workshops for support positions. In the next academic year, the Educational Competency Assessment Project will target more than 12,000 cadres across kindergarten and Cycle 1 levels and 11,000 cadres across Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 in order to define clear career paths and empower staff in line with national education system requirements.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store