The Middle East is set to revolutionise its tourism landscape by introducing a Schengen-style visa system for six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Dubbed the ‘Grand Tour’ visa, this initiative is scheduled to come into effect in December 2024. The countries included in the visa include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
The new visa aims to simplify travel logistics for tourists and business travellers, enabling them to visit multiple GCC countries under a single visa. For instance, a tourist could start their journey in Dubai, UAE, then fly to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and continue to explore Doha, Qatar, without needing to apply for separate visas in each country. This ease of travel is anticipated to attract a surge of international visitors, enhancing the region’s appeal as a unified tourism destination for tours and joint experiences. The introduction of the visa is expected to cut down on both time and financial costs associated with travel visas, making it more convenient for visitors.
This strategic decision is part of a broader effort to diversify the Gulf economies, traditionally reliant on oil revenues, by boosting the tourism industry. Each country within the GCC is preparing for this change by investing in tourism infrastructure. The UAE, for instance, has ongoing projects like the AED128 billion expansion of Dubai World Central Airport. Saudi Arabia continues to develop its Vision 2030 projects to attract visitors, including the Red Sea cruise terminals and the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
The unified visa system is poised to strengthen cultural and economic ties within the GCC, promoting a sense of regional cohesion. It reflects a vision of economic integration and collaboration among these nations, aligned with their long-term developmental goals.
Tourism authorities in the GCC countries are optimistic about the potential benefits of this visa system. The UAE’s Ministry of Economy estimates that the visa could boost the number of tourists by up to 10 million annually. Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority projects similar growth, anticipating increased revenue from tourism-related activities.
