A recent high-level parliamentary meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Parliament has been hailed as a milestone moment—not only for diplomacy and governance, but for the future of tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two regions.
Held in Abu Dhabi on 23 June 2025, the meeting brought together the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Umma Councils of GCC member states with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. It was chaired by UAE Federal National Council Speaker Saqr Ghobash and supported at the highest level by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi described the event as marking “a new phase” in parliamentary relations between the Gulf and Europe, with immediate implications for sectors beyond politics—including travel and tourism.
Towards a Schengen exemption: A catalyst for tourism
Of particular interest to the tourism and travel community was Secretary-General Albudaiwi’s reaffirmation that the Schengen visa exemption for GCC citizens remains a top priority. He emphasised that all technical requirements have now been met and the final decision lies with relevant European institutions.
“We commend President Metsola’s coordination to move this forward,” said Albudaiwi, underlining the exemption’s importance for “tourism, trade, and cultural and academic exchanges.”
A Schengen waiver for Gulf travellers would be transformative. Easier access to European destinations could stimulate a new wave of outbound tourism from the region, especially among affluent GCC nationals, families, and business travellers. Likewise, smoother movement for Europeans travelling to the Gulf could further elevate inbound numbers, aligning with Saudi Arabia and its neighbours’ goals of positioning themselves as major global tourism hubs.
Elevating relations to strategic partnership level
The Abu Dhabi meeting is the latest step in what Albudaiwi described as “significant growth across all levels” in Gulf-European relations. This includes alignment on many international issues, regular political and technical dialogue, and growing momentum toward an official strategic partnership—formalised during the GCC-EU Summit in Brussels in October 2024.
Looking ahead, several key joint events are on the horizon:
- The Gulf-European Ministerial Council meeting in Kuwait this October.
- The first Gulf-European Energy Conference in Brussels in November.
- And the second GCC-EU Summit, set to take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026.
Each of these represents a fresh opportunity for cooperation in sectors such as energy, innovation, culture—and tourism.
Hope, partnership, and regional stability
Albudaiwi noted that “the achievements of the coming period will create strong and positive momentum,” particularly as the world grapples with shared global challenges. Strengthened relations, he said, offer a model for international cooperation grounded in friendship and mutual interest.
He also reiterated the GCC’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, and called for a peaceful resolution in line with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative—an area of common concern across Europe and the Gulf.
Proposed annual parliamentary forum
To maintain this new momentum, Albudaiwi proposed an annual meeting between GCC parliamentary leaders and the President of the European Parliament. The initiative would institutionalise this new phase of cooperation, offering a consistent platform to address issues of shared importance.
From a tourism perspective, such a permanent dialogue mechanism could prove invaluable. Closer political alignment is often a precursor to smoother regulations, more open skies agreements, coordinated cultural programmes, and increased investment in tourism infrastructure.
A timely opportunity for the Gulf
As the GCC continues to invest heavily in tourism as part of its broader economic diversification strategies—especially in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—facilitating ease of travel with Europe would be a timely and mutually beneficial step.
For travel advisors, tour operators, and investors, the message is clear: Gulf-European relations are not only warming—they are being structured for long-term collaboration. And tourism stands to be one of the biggest winners.
For more updates on strategic developments shaping Saudi Arabia’s tourism landscape, stay tuned to sa-fe.org.
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Read also: GCC Unified Visa approved
Useful resource: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/eu-gcc-trade/
