Unified GCC visa on agenda at Gulf tourism ministers meet
Published: 04:10 PM,Oct 04,2023 | EDITED : 11:10 PM,Oct 04,2023
The Sultanate of Oman hopes the GCC will support nominating the Wilayat of Sur as the “Capital of Arab Tourism” for the year 2024
Muscat: The GCC Tourism Ministers will meet at the Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah and discuss various topics including the Gulf Tourism Strategy, the unified Gulf tourist visa, and a common tourism platform.
Azzan bin Qassim al Busaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said on Wednesday that a lot depends on Thursday's meeting in achieving aspirations that will contribute to the growth of tourism capabilities enjoyed by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in line with the studies that were approved at the meeting held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Al Ula in 2022.
He emphasised the importance of preparing an executive framework to follow up on what will be agreed upon on the ground to make the Arabian Gulf region a tourist destination with a competitive advantage in the tourism industry worldwide, given the sector's ability to provide broad job opportunities and promote economic growth.
The Sultanate of Oman hopes the GCC will support nominating the Wilayat of Sur as the “Capital of Arab Tourism” for the year 2024 which will host many events to attract Gulf tourism throughout the year.
2022 witnessed an increase estimated at 57.5 per cent in the total value added of the travel and tourism sector in the gross domestic product of the GCC countries compared to the year 2021.
The total number of visitors to the Sultanate of Oman during the period from January to August 2023 was 2.6 million visitors, an increase of 48.1 per cent compared to the period in 2022, of which 1.1 million visitors were from the GCC states.
Between October 1 and 5, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is conducting promotional roadshows in different GCC states with the participation of 15 local companies.
It may be noted that winter is a special season for tourism in the Sultanate of Oman as it is ideal for outdoor activities such as visiting coasts, deserts, mountains, and wadis among others.
Azzan bin Qassim al Busaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, said on Wednesday that a lot depends on Thursday's meeting in achieving aspirations that will contribute to the growth of tourism capabilities enjoyed by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in line with the studies that were approved at the meeting held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Al Ula in 2022.
He emphasised the importance of preparing an executive framework to follow up on what will be agreed upon on the ground to make the Arabian Gulf region a tourist destination with a competitive advantage in the tourism industry worldwide, given the sector's ability to provide broad job opportunities and promote economic growth.
The Sultanate of Oman hopes the GCC will support nominating the Wilayat of Sur as the “Capital of Arab Tourism” for the year 2024 which will host many events to attract Gulf tourism throughout the year.
2022 witnessed an increase estimated at 57.5 per cent in the total value added of the travel and tourism sector in the gross domestic product of the GCC countries compared to the year 2021.
The total number of visitors to the Sultanate of Oman during the period from January to August 2023 was 2.6 million visitors, an increase of 48.1 per cent compared to the period in 2022, of which 1.1 million visitors were from the GCC states.
Between October 1 and 5, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is conducting promotional roadshows in different GCC states with the participation of 15 local companies.
It may be noted that winter is a special season for tourism in the Sultanate of Oman as it is ideal for outdoor activities such as visiting coasts, deserts, mountains, and wadis among others.