Gulf Cooperation Council countries

The number of tourists arriving in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2025 exceeded 75 million, representing a growth rate of 4.8 percent. Meanwhile, tourism spending in the GCC countries surpassed 131 billion US dollars in the same year, compared to approximately 120 billion dollars in 2024. The data confirm that more than 20 million tourists traveled within the GCC countries in 2025, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to 2024. Furthermore, the direct and indirect contribution of tourism to the economies of the GCC countries reached approximately 254 billion dollars in the same year, accounting for 11.4 percent of the gross domestic product. Gulf tourism has made significant progress, with its figures doubling in recent years, particularly amid widespread global disruptions. Diversification and learning from others’ experiences are essential strategies.