Tourists visiting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may soon enjoy the convenience of a unified visa, similar to the Schengen visa in Europe. The announcement was made at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Bahrain, UAE, and the Saudi Tourism Authority shared plans to introduce a Schengen style visa for GCC countries.
The aim is to enhance the tourist experience and attract more visitors by enabling exploration of multiple countries with a single visa. This move is expected to significantly boost revenues for all GCC countries.
Unified Visa: Boosting Tourism and Collaboration in the GCC
Fatima Al Sairafi, Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism, highlighted the value of such a visa. She stated that tourists traveling to Europe often visit several countries instead of just one. By adopting a unified approach, all GCC countries can benefit collectively and strengthen their tourism offerings. Al Sairafi shared a successful example of cooperation. Bahrain, UAE, and other GCC markets co-promoted their destinations, resulting in increased tourist numbers and diversity.
Abdullah Al Saleh, the undersecretary for the Ministry of Economy, emphasized the importance of the tourism sector for the overall economic growth. He highlighted the need for unified regulations, policies, and procedures. Al Saleh emphasized seamless experiences for long-distance visitors to encourage exploration of multiple destinations in the GCC without restrictions. This facilitates growth in the sector.
The ministers have developed a unified tourism strategy. It aims to increase the sector’s contribution to the GCC GDP, promote employment, enhance competitiveness, and ensure a sustainable tourism industry.
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized that modern travelers no longer focus on individual countries but rather on regions. He believes that future tourists will seek out multiple stops and routes, making a unified visa system even more appealing. Hamidaddin highlighted joint promotions’ success, citing Saudi Arabia’s benefits from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It showcased the advantages of collaboration.
The GCC countries are working together with a shared vision to position themselves as a seamless tourist destination. The introduction of a “Schengen style visa” will facilitate travel. With unified efforts, the future of tourism in the GCC looks promising and full of opportunities for visitors to discover the rich diversity of experiences it has to offer.
