GCC to Introduce Unified Tourist Visa by 2024-25, Enhancing Regional Travel
This landmark decision, as announced by Emirates Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri (pictured above), was unanimously endorsed at the seventh meeting of GCC tourism ministers held in Oman.
Al Marri, speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), disclosed that regulations and legislative frameworks for the visa are currently in development. The visa’s introduction is contingent on the preparedness of the internal systems of the GCC countries, which include the Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
The introduction of this visa is expected to simplify travel for visitors, allowing them to traverse six nations with a single entry point. “This new visa will open doors to travellers,” Al Marri stated, highlighting the potential for economic growth and synergy across the Gulf states.
Al Marri emphasised the significance of this initiative as an integral part of the GCC’s 2030 tourism strategy. The strategy’s goal is to amplify the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP by increasing travel within the GCC and boosting hotel occupancy rates.
“This initiative is an integral part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, designed to elevate the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP through increased inter-GCC travel and elevated hotel occupancy rates, transforming the GCC into a pre-eminent global destination for both regional and international tourists…”
“This initiative is an integral part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy, designed to elevate the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP through increased inter-GCC travel and elevated hotel occupancy rates, transforming the GCC into a pre-eminent global destination for both regional and international tourists,” said the UAE Minister.
The GCC boasts a robust travel and tourism infrastructure, with the total number of hotel rooms across the GCC standing at 674,832, underpinned by a steady growth in the sector.
Al Marri also shed light on the GCC’s ambitious “2023-2030” joint tourism strategy, which targets a 7% annual increase in visits to the member countries. “The number of visitors to GCC countries reached 39.8 million last year, showing a significant growth compared to the previous year, with a target of reaching 128.7 million visitors by 2030,” Al Marri noted.
In line with these targets, the GCC aims to bolster tourist spending annually by 8%. By the end of 2023, this figure is expected to grow by 12.8% to US$96.9 bn, with a goal to reach US$188 bn by 2030.
Increasing number of countries around the world “open gates” to tourists
Meanwhile, the number of destinations around the world offering “Digital Nomad Visas” (DNVs) has risen significantly over recent years, with almost half now offering visas for at least one year.
According to a new analysis by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) covering 54 destinations, the rise in DNVs has gone hand-in-hand with an increase in digital nomads, with destinations in all regions working to meet the market trend.
The UNWTO Brief examines the DNV programmes in seven areas: Application process, Duration of visa, Taxation, Insurance, Accommodation, Minimum income requirements and criminal records check. The brief looks at the background and current state of digital nomadism trends and provides an analysis of existing DNVs worldwide in five regions. Key findings include:
47% of destinations offer visas for up to one year.
39% of destinations exempt digital nomads from tax payments.
17% of destinations do not have minimum income requirements.
76% of destinations have online applications for DNV programmes.
80% of destinations process applications within one-month period.
Only 6% of destinations have no visa fees for application.
A DNV allows individuals to live and work in a foreign country while maintaining employment or conducting freelance work for employers or clients in their home or another country. With this visa, digital nomads can continue their professional pursuits while embracing the opportunity to immerse themselves in the host destination’s unique lifestyle in line with much of the trends of the future of work. Furthermore, destinations use DNV to attract professionals from creative and technology areas to stimulate these areas nationally.
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Photo top of page – Emirates Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri – copyright Maryland GovPics.
