International tourism earnings in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations climbed to $120.2 billion in 2024, a 39.6 percent increase since 2019 and an 8.9 percent rise from the previous year, according to Gulf-Stat.

This indicates the sustained strong performance of inbound tourism in the GCC nations during 2024, with notable rises in visitor counts, revenue, and employment, thereby reinforcing the sector’s role as a crucial contributor to economic diversification and support for GDP.

According to Gulf-Stat’s “Travel and Tourism in the GCC Countries 2024” report, international tourist arrivals to the region hit 72.2 million in 2024, which represents a 51.5 percent increase since 2019 and a 6.1 percent growth from 2023, bringing the GCC’s share of global tourism to 5.2 percent.

This performance showcases a recovery that exceeds pre-pandemic benchmarks, driven by enhanced air connectivity, eased visa regulations, and a diversification of tourism offerings.

The report stated that the Middle East represented 18.8 percent of inbound tourists, with Europe making up 14.6 percent and Asia-Pacific accounting for 14.5 percent.

Growth in intra-GCC travel
Intra-GCC travel constituted 41.3 percent of total international tourists, as reported by Gulf-Stat, with an impressive average annual growth rate of 51.2 percent between 2019 and 2024, stemming from greater mobility and joint events.

As demand grew, tourism infrastructure also expanded, with the number of hotel establishments in the GCC reaching 11,200, totaling approximately 711,500 rooms. Additionally, tourism employment surged to 1.7 million workers in 2024, representing a 33.0 percent increase since 2020.

The direct travel and tourism GDP amounted to $93.5 billion in 2024, achieving 64.1 percent of the 2030 goal, while the sector’s portion of GCC GDP climbed to 4.3 percent.

As stated by Gulf-Stat, sustainability indicators demonstrated an average length of stay of 8.4 nights and spending averaged $674.6, accompanied by rising labor productivity. With achievement rates ranging from 56 percent to 78 percent of the GCC Tourism Strategy 2030 objectives, the region is well-prepared to sustain growth, especially in cultural, eco, and business tourism.