Tourism experts say the newly proposed unified GCC visa could be a major catalyst for travel growth across the Gulf, simplifying cross-border movement and encouraging multi-country itineraries within the region.
The initiative, backed by GCC governments and widely supported by tourism industry leaders and travel agencies, aims to create a seamless travel experience similar to Europe’s Schengen model. By enabling visitors to explore several Gulf destinations under a single permit, stakeholders expect stronger regional integration and higher visitor retention.
The Gulf collectively welcomed an estimated 70–75 million tourists last year. Industry analysts believe the unified visa has the potential to significantly expand this figure by attracting longer stays and more diverse travel patterns.
Economists add that extended trips translate into increased spending on hotels, events, business travel, entertainment, and regional conferences — positioning the GCC for a major uplift in tourism-driven revenue.
