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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Middle East's Schengen style GCC tourist visa approved, to be rolled out 'soon'
The long-awaited unified tourist visa for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has received formal approval and is expected to be introduced soon, according to UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The visa aims to streamline tourism across the six GCC member nations — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait — and is being viewed as a significant step toward regional travel integration. Speaking at a press briefing during the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp on Monday, June 16, 2025, Al Marri confirmed the progress: 'The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon. Now, it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Jersey: Gov Will Cover Your Cost To Install Solar If You Live In These Zips SunValue Learn More Undo ALSO READ: Gulf countries announce plans for a Schengen-like unified tourist visa (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Dubbed the "GCC Grand Tours Visa" in some circles, the initiative is modeled on the Schengen visa system used in Europe. It will allow travelers to visit all six Gulf countries under a single visa, removing the current requirement of applying separately for each destination, despite existing air and road connectivity. Live Events The approval of the GCC unified tourist visa has been met with strong support from leaders in the travel and hospitality sectors, who see it as a turning point for regional tourism and economic activity. Industry professionals expect the visa to ease cross-border travel across the six Gulf nations, making the region more attractive and accessible to international tourists. One notable trend expected to grow is "bleisure" travel — a combination of business and leisure — as visitors are likely to extend their work-related trips to explore neighbouring countries. This could translate into longer stays and a broader spread of tourism-related spending across the region. Beyond tourism, the unified visa is projected to spur wider economic benefits. Stakeholders believe that simplified travel will drive job creation, boost investment in hospitality and infrastructure, and support a more collaborative approach to positioning the GCC as an integrated travel destination. Tourism Momentum: GCC Set for Accelerated Growth The visa initiative follows a period of strong recovery in the Gulf's travel sector. Data from the GCC's Statistical Centre shows: 68.1 million visitors in 2023 $110.4 billion in tourism revenue A 42.8% rise in arrivals compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels In the UAE, the sector continues to contribute significantly to the economy. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC): The industry supported 833,000 jobs in 2024 Employment is forecast to reach 1 million by 2030 The earlier WTTC projection for 2034 was 928,000 jobs By 2030, one in nine UAE residents could be employed in tourism Dubai's Lead Role in Regional Travel Dubai remains a key driver of Gulf tourism. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the city recorded: 7.15 million visitors between January and April 2025 A 7% year-on-year growth compared to the same period in 2024 With the upcoming rollout of the unified visa, other destinations in the GCC are expected to benefit from Dubai's tourist inflow, encouraging longer and more diverse travel itineraries across the region. (With TOI inputs)
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Schengen-style GCC Unified Tourist Visa approved, to be rolled out soon
The Schengen-style GCC unified tourist visa, approved by Gulf states, will allow travelers seamless access to all six member countries with a single entry permit/ Image generated by AI for illustrative and cretive purposes The long-anticipated GCC unified tourist visa has officially been approved and will be rolled out in the near future, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE's Minister of Economy. The move is seen as a critical milestone that could reshape the region's travel landscape, enabling seamless tourism across all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): the UAE, Saudi Arabia , Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait . Confirming the development, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said that the unified visa has already been approved and is currently awaiting rollout. Speaking on the sidelines of the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp press conference held on Monday, June 16, 2025, Al Marri told Khaleej Times: 'The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon. Now, it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it.' The visa, sometimes referred to as the "GCC Grand Tours Visa", is designed to function similarly to the Schengen visa in Europe, which allows tourists to travel freely across participating countries with a single permit. This unified document will simplify travel by eliminating the need to apply for separate visas to each country in the Gulf bloc, despite the countries being well-connected by air and road. Industry Reactions: A Boost to 'Bleisure' and Regional GDP Leaders across the travel and hospitality sectors have welcomed the approval of the unified GCC tourist visa, calling it a 'game-changer' for the region's tourism industry and broader economies. Industry executives believe the new visa will significantly enhance tourism flows between the six Gulf nations by making cross-border travel more accessible and convenient for international visitors. A major expected outcome is the rise of "bleisure" travel, a blend of business and leisure, as visitors are more likely to extend their stays to explore neighbouring destinations while on work trips. This, in turn, could lead to longer average trip durations and a more even distribution of tourist spending across the region. The unified visa is also seen as a catalyst for economic growth beyond tourism alone. Industry leaders anticipate that easier cross-border access will stimulate new job creation, attract investment in hospitality and infrastructure, and encourage greater regional collaboration in promoting the Gulf as a single, cohesive destination. Record Tourism Numbers: GCC Poised for a Tourism Boom The visa rollout comes on the back of strong post-pandemic recovery figures in the Gulf's travel sector. According to data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf, the region recorded: 68.1 million visitors in 2023 $110.4 billion in tourism revenue – a record high 42.8% increase in tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 In the UAE specifically, tourism continues to drive national economic growth. As per the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC): The sector contributed to 833,000 jobs in 2024 Employment is projected to reach 1 million by 2030 This will exceed the WTTC's own earlier projection of 928,000 jobs by 2034 One in every 9 UAE residents is expected to be employed in the travel and tourism industry by 2030 Dubai Leading the Surge Dubai, already a global tourism magnet, is setting the pace. According to figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the emirate welcomed: 7.15 million tourists in the first four months of 2025 This marks a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024 Such numbers reinforce Dubai's position as a central hub in the GCC's broader tourism ecosystem. With the unified visa coming into effect, other cities and countries in the region stand to benefit from Dubai's traffic through extended itineraries and regional travel circuits. What's Next? While an exact rollout date has not yet been publicly confirmed, the unified visa has been officially approved and is now under review by the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities in the UAE and across the GCC. Multiple Gulf ministers and senior officials have indicated in recent months that the unified visa will be introduced 'soon.' Once implemented, the visa will enable: Multi-entry access across all six GCC countries Simplified paperwork for tourists Greater integration of the region's tourism offerings under a unified travel policy This initiative not only aligns with long-term regional integration goals but also aims to make the GCC a more attractive destination for international tourists by offering a smoother and more expansive travel experience.
