Business

GCC sees growth in hotels; improvement in digital readiness

Published: 08:10 AM,Oct 25,2026 | EDITED : 12:10 PM,Oct 25,2026

 

Muscat: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries showed a growth in the number of tourists, tourism revenues, and hotel establishments, which coincided with the development of digital infrastructure, the adoption of emerging technologies, and the expansion of digital government services.

According to the GCC Statistical Centre (GCC-Stat), the number of hotel establishments across the GCC reached 12,400 in 2025, an increase of 4.8 percent over 2024. 
This reflects an expansion in the tourism sector’s operational base and its growing capacity to meet demand, alongside a greater diversity of accommodation options and services available to visitors. 
These indicators highlight the importance of tourism as a key driver of economic diversification within the GCC countries. This is due to its interconnectedness with a wide range of sectors—including transport, aviation, hospitality, retail, leisure, and services—as well as its role in stimulating investment, creating job opportunities, and bolstering the contribution of non-oil activities to Gulf economies.

The report examines three primary indicators that reflect the level of digital readiness across the GCC, and their role in reshaping the future of tourism and enhancing tourism-related services and experiences. In the 2025 Emerging Technology Adoption Index, GCC countries scored between 34 and 99 points, with three Gulf nations ranking among the top 20 globally.

In the 2025, Mobile Application Development Index, GCC countries achieved scores ranging from 60 to 77 points. This reflects a solid digital foundation that can be leveraged to develop innovative tourism applications, making it easier for visitors to access information and services, while enhancing the quality of their experience before, during, and after their trip.

As for the 2025 Online Government Services Index, scores ranged from 56 to 99 points, with three GCC member states ranking among the top 25 globally. This underscores the significance of digital government services in streamlining procedures related to travel, accommodation, and tourism activities, while improving the efficiency of services provided to visitors. 
These indicators underscore that digital transformation has become a cornerstone for enhancing the competitiveness of the tourism sector in the Gulf. By leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and digital applications, it is possible to better understand tourist needs, forecast demand, develop highly personalized services, improve the management of tourist destinations, and optimize resource utilization—all of which support sustainability and elevate visitor satisfaction.