(Gulf Statistician): Growth in Gulf Tourism Sector Indicators Boosts Contribution of Non-Oil Activities

Muscat, October 25 (KUNA) -- The Statistical Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stated on Sunday that the recent growth in tourism indicators across GCC member states underscores the importance of the tourism sector as a pillar of economic diversification and its role in stimulating investment, creating jobs, and enhancing the contribution of non-oil activities.

In a weekly bulletin titled "Gulf Tourism in the Era of Smart Transformation," the Center noted that tourism indicators in GCC countries showed growth in tourist arrivals, tourism revenues, and hotel establishments in 2025, running parallel to the development of digital infrastructure, the adoption of emerging technologies, and the expansion of digital government services, all of which enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector.

Regarding the growth of these indicators, the Center stated that the number of tourists arriving in GCC countries reached 75.7 million in 2025, representing a growth rate of 4.9 percent compared to 2024. Total tourism revenues reached $131.9 billion, with an annual growth rate of 9.7 percent. Meanwhile, the number of tourists traveling between GCC countries reached 20.1 million, reflecting a growth rate of 3.6 percent.

During the same year, the total number of hotel establishments in GCC countries reached 12.4 thousand, an increase of 4.8 percent compared to 2024. The Center emphasized that this "reflects the expansion of the sector's operational base and its growing capacity to absorb demand, alongside the diversity of accommodation options and services offered to visitors."

The Center affirmed that these indicators highlight the importance of tourism as a driver of economic diversification in Gulf countries, given its linkage to a wide range of activities including transport, aviation, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and services, as well as its role in stimulating investment, creating jobs, and boosting the contribution of non-oil activities to their economies.

On the front of digital infrastructure development, the Center pointed out that the growth in tourism indicators runs parallel to advancements in digital infrastructure, the adoption of emerging technologies, and the expansion of digital government services, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the tourism sector and supporting the shift toward smarter, more integrated, and sustainable tourism experiences.

In this context, the Center outlined three key indicators reflecting the level of digital readiness in GCC countries and their role in reshaping the future of tourism and developing services and experiences. It noted that these countries scored between 34 and 99 points on the "Adoption of Emerging Technologies 2025" index, with three Gulf countries ranking among the top 20 globally in the same index.

The Center added that GCC countries achieved scores between 60 and 77 points on the "Mobile Application Development 2025" index, reflecting the availability of a digital foundation that can be leveraged to develop innovative tourism applications. These applications facilitate visitors' access to information and services and enhance the quality of their experience before, during, and after their trips.

Regarding the "Online Government Services 2025" index, the Center stated that GCC countries scored between 56 and 99 points, with three of them ranking among the top 25 countries globally in this index. This "highlights the importance of digital government services in facilitating procedures related to travel, accommodation, and tourism activities, and in improving the efficiency of services provided to visitors."

The Center clarified that these indicators demonstrate that digital transformation has become a "fundamental pillar" for enhancing the competitiveness of Gulf tourism. This is achieved by leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and digital applications to understand tourist needs, forecast demand, and develop more personalized services. Additionally, it improves destination management and resource utilization efficiency, thereby supporting sustainability and elevating visitor satisfaction levels.

In this regard, the Center emphasized the importance of strengthening digital integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and developing joint platforms that link booking, transportation, events, and tourism information services, thereby enabling visitors to enjoy a smoother and more integrated Gulf experience and contributing to encouraging intra-regional tourism and maximizing the benefits of the diverse natural, cultural, heritage, and recreational assets possessed by the countries of the region. It is worth noting that the Statistical Center for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, headquartered in the Sultanate of Oman, was established in 2011 to serve as the official authorized body for data, information, and statistics related to GCC member states, in addition to its role in enhancing statistical and informational efforts among national statistical centers and planning authorities within these countries. (End) M.J.B. / N.B.S.