'Gulf Statistician': 9.7% Growth in Tourist Revenues for GCC States

- 75.7 million tourists in 2025... and $131.9 billion in total revenues

Tourism indicators in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, issued by the Gulf Statistics Center, show growth in tourist arrivals, tourism revenues, and hotel establishments, alongside the development of digital infrastructure, the adoption of emerging technologies, and the expansion of digital government services. These developments enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector and support the transition toward smarter, more integrated, and sustainable tourism experiences.

Data from the Center’s weekly bulletin, titled “Gulf Tourism in the Era of Smart Transformation,” indicate that tourist arrivals to GCC countries reached 75.7 million in 2025, representing a 4.9% increase compared to 2024. Total tourism revenues amounted to $131.9 billion, reflecting an annual growth rate of 9.7%. Meanwhile, intra-GCC tourist movements reached 20.1 million, with a growth rate of 3.6%.

The total number of hotel establishments in GCC countries recorded 12,400 in 2025, an increase of 4.8% compared to 2024. This reflects the expansion of the sector’s operational base and its growing capacity to accommodate demand, alongside a diversification of accommodation options and services offered to visitors.

These indicators highlight the importance of tourism as one of the pillars of economic diversification in GCC countries, given its linkage to a wide range of activities, including transport, aviation, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and services. Tourism also plays a key role in stimulating investment, creating jobs, and enhancing the contribution of non-oil activities to Gulf economies.

Regarding digital transformation, the bulletin 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. In the 2025 Emerging Technologies Adoption Index, GCC countries scored between 34 and 99 points, with three Gulf countries ranking among the top 20 globally in this indicator.

In the 2025 Mobile Application Development Index, GCC countries achieved scores ranging from 60 to 77 points, 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, enhancing the quality of their experience before, during, and after their trips.

As for the 2025 Online Government Services Index, results ranged between 56 and 99 points. Three GCC countries ranked among the top 25 globally, underscoring the importance of digital government services in streamlining procedures related to travel, accommodation, and tourism activities, and improving the efficiency of services provided to visitors.

These indicators confirm that digital transformation has become a cornerstone for enhancing the competitiveness of Gulf tourism. By leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and digital applications, stakeholders can better understand tourist needs, forecast demand, and develop more personalized services. Additionally, this supports improved destination management and more efficient resource utilization, thereby promoting sustainability and elevating visitor satisfaction.

Furthermore, strengthening digital integration among GCC countries and developing shared platforms that link booking, transport, events, and tourism information services is crucial. Such integration enables a smoother, more cohesive Gulf-wide visitor experience and encourages intra-GCC tourism, maximizing the benefits of the region’s diverse natural, cultural, heritage, and recreational assets.