Kuwaiti oil falls $1.45 to $116.65 per barrel

The number of tourists arriving in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2025 reached more than 75 million, reflecting a growth rate of 4.8 percent. Meanwhile, tourism spending in the GCC states exceeded 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 GCC economies reached approximately 254 billion dollars in the same year, representing 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.