MUSCAT: The travel and tourism sector has emerged as a key driver of economic growth in the Gulf region, contributing approximately 11.4% to the GCC’s total GDP by the end of 2024. According to the latest figures from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, this translates to about RO 95 billion ($247.1 billion).
Compared to 2019, the sector’s GDP contribution has grown by an impressive 31.9%, underscoring the resilience and expansion of tourism-related activities across the Gulf. On a global scale, the sector’s contribution to both the GCC and world GDP in 2024 stands at 2.2%.
Looking ahead, projections indicate a continued upward trend. By 2034, the sector is expected to account for 13.3% of the GCC’s GDP, reaching a value of RO 142.8 billion ($371.2 billion). This growth will be supported by an average annual increase of over 4.2% between 2024 and 2034.
In addition, intra-GCC tourism has seen robust growth. The average annual growth rate in the number of tourists traveling between GCC countries from 2019 to 2023 reached 41.5%. Notably, travelers within the Gulf represented 26.5% of all international tourists arriving in GCC countries in 2023.
These figures highlight the rising importance of regional travel and the broader tourism ecosystem in shaping the Gulf’s economic future. — ONA
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