Gulf Nations Seek Schengen-Style Visa for Seamless Tourism Experience

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations are exploring the possibility of introducing a Unified Gulf visa, akin to the Schengen-style visa, to boost economic growth in the region. Oman’s Minister of Tourism, Salim Mohammed al Mahrouqi, shared insights into this potential development during the seventh meeting of GCC tourism ministers.

Seamless Travel Across GCC Countries

GCC, comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, is on the verge of revolutionizing tourism by proposing a Unified Gulf visa. Travelers visiting any GCC member state may soon enjoy the convenience of exploring neighboring countries with a single visa.

During the meeting, GCC tourism ministers unanimously endorsed the concept of a unified Gulf visa and have invited feedback on this proposal until December. Oman’s news agency, ONA, reported on this significant step towards regional tourism integration.

The Vision for Gulf Tourism

Minister Mahrouqi emphasized the consensus among GCC nations regarding the importance of a standard tourism visa. The GCC plans to hold follow-up meetings to finalize the details and reach a complete agreement on the unified Gulf visa.

Elevating Gulf Tourism Cooperation

The primary objective of the meeting was to enhance cooperation among GCC nations and facilitate tourism development. The ministers are determined to elevate tourism status in the GCC, boost national economies, and fulfill the aspirations of their people.

2023-2030 Strategies for Growth in the Gulf Tourism Sector

The ministers discussed the Gulf Strategy for Tourism 2023-2030, aiming for ambitious growth targets. This strategy includes plans to increase annual tourist numbers by 7%, enhance inbound tourist spending by 8%, and bolster domestic tourist expenditure by 2.4%. Moreover, the goal is to achieve a 7% annual increase in direct GDP until 2030.

The Potential of the Gulf Peninsula

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed al Budaiwi highlighted the burgeoning potential of tourism in the Gulf peninsula. He pointed out that 17 landmarks from GCC states are currently listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

A Unified Vision for Tourism

Ahmed Aqeel al-Khatib, Saudi Minister of Tourism, stressed the importance of a joint vision for the GCC. Collaborative efforts could establish a unified Gulf statistics center and a standard tourist visa system, positioning the GCC to capture a significant share of the global travel market.

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As the meeting concluded, a proposal titled ‘Our Gulf, the Birthplace of Civilizations’ was tabled. It aims for member states to finalize their contributions to this initiative by the end of 2023, signaling a commitment to the shared future of Gulf tourism. ONA reported this promising development.