The Gulf Cooperation Council’s tourism sector posted a landmark performance in 2024, with international arrivals reaching 72.2 million — a 51.5 percent jump from 2019 levels and a 6.1 percent rise over the previous year, according to the latest report from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat).

The figures signal a sector in strong recovery, cementing tourism’s role as a key pillar of economic diversification across Gulf states.

Revenue growth matched the momentum in visitor numbers. International tourism receipts climbed to approximately $120.2 billion, up 39.6 percent from 2019 and 8.9 percent from 2023, reflecting deepening global demand for Gulf destinations.

On the infrastructure front, the number of hotel establishments across the region surpassed 11,200 in 2024, a 1.3 percent increase from the prior year, while total hotel room inventory reached around 711,500 rooms, edging up 0.2 percent. GCC-Stat attributed the expansion to major hotel developments and the broader growth of tourism facilities, which it said strengthens the sector’s capacity to attract both visitors and investment.

Regional travel also proved a significant driver. Intra-GCC tourism accounted for roughly 41.3 percent of all international arrivals, recording a 61.2 percent increase against 2019 levels, underscoring the growing importance of cross-border mobility within the bloc.

The findings come from GCC-Stat’s “Tourism Trends in the GCC Countries 2024” report, which characterised the results as a reflection of the sector’s recovery and its reinforced standing as one of the most economically vital industries in the region.

News Source: Emirates News Agency