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• applying bahrain evisa through gulfair

To support the application, you must supply the following copies of documents:

• A copy of the reservation for the return flight.
• A photocopy of the applicant's passport photo page.
• A copy of your hotel reservation in Bahrain. If you are staying with a relative, please give a copy of their CPR Reader printout as an alternative.
• A copy of a bank statement in the visitor's name for the last three months, with an ending balance.
• Optionally, you may supply the following copies of papers to support your application:
• A copy of the GCC and/or any visa from the United States, Schengen, the United Kingdom, Europe, or Canada.

READ ALSO: BAHRAIN VISA DOCUMENT REQUIREMENT

Who is eligible to fly to Bahrain?

Immigration requirements:.

• Entry is restricted to Bahraini nationals, residents, GCC citizens who do not require a visa, passengers who are qualified for a visa on arrival , passengers who have a valid eVisa, diplomats, military personnel, airline staff, and holders of official, service, or United Nations passports.
•  For citizens of qualified countries, visas on arrival have been reinstated. So see if you're eligible or to get a Visa before you leave.

Arrival in Bahrain: 

• Prior to departure, all travelers are strongly requested to download the official "Be Aware" App.
• To prevent delays upon arrival, all travellers must complete the Ministry of Health's Health Statutory Declaration before departure.
• Upon arrival, all travellers must undergo a PCR test (at their own expense) and remain in self-isolation until the PCR test results are known.
• Payments can be done via the official "Be Aware" App, the Bahrain eGovernment Portal, or a designated airport kiosk that accepts cash or credit cards.
• To prevent delays upon arrival, it is strongly recommended that you consult Bahrain eVisa through GulfAir.
• On the tenth day after their arrival in Bahrain, every passenger remaining for more than ten (10) days must have a repeat PCR test.

READ ALSO: BAHRAIN VISA PROCESS FOR INDIAN CITIZENS

What to do before flying to Bahrain?

What are the rules at the airport.

• Bahrain Airport is undergoing Covid-19 testing. Unless traveling from a Red List country, citizens and residents with proof of vaccination or recovery using the Bahrain app do not need to undergo PCR testing on arrival.
•  Travelers from the GCC who have proof of vaccination are likewise exempt. On arrival, all other passengers must get a Covid 19 PCR test with Bahrain eVisa (at their own expense).
• The charge includes a test upon arrival as well as two more exams, one on the fifth day and the other on the tenth day of the visit. The price remains the same regardless of how long visitors stay in Bahrain, and there is no requirement for a minimum stay.
• Arriving travelers who do not qualify for a quarantine exemption must stay at home or in a government-approved hotel for ten days. On day 10, another PCR test will be performed, with a negative result ending the quarantine period. The Bahrain app allows travelers to pay for their exams before they arrive. Cash is accepted as well, however it may create delays.
• Bahrain International Airport (airport code: BAH) is Bahrain's only public airport and a regional hub for Bahrain's national carrier, Gulf Air. Several international airlines offer connections between Bahrain and the United States via the Gulf or Europe.

READ ALSO: BAHRAIN VISA FROM OMAN

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Bahrain: Passengers forced to return failing to comply with new visit visa rules

As part of efforts to prevent human trafficking and unlawful entry of foreigners into Bahrain, the airport authorities have stepped up measures by enforcing strict rules and norms.

It is learnt that tens of people, who arrived at Bahrain International Airport on visit visa, were forced to return home after failing to adhere to new rules.

Gulf Air earlier circulated a message stressing the new rules, according to which, a visit visa holder must have an globally-accepted credit card or must possess BD50 per day for his/her stay in the Kingdom.

The Kingdom provides tourist visas, which can be obtained online by presenting a bank statement with a minimum account balance of BD300. The visitor should also present return tickets as well as documents of hotel booking.

And people visiting their family members must present a copy of the resident’s CPR along with copies of power/ water bills.

According to sources, there are many fraudulent agents across Africa and South Asian countries including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, who “trick on innocent, uneducated clients” into believing that they are buying a job visa having legal authenticity to work under any employer in the Kingdom.

Under the pretext of handing over employment visas “visit visas are sold to many youngsters taking amounts ranging between BD700 and BD1,200 from them”. Social workers say that the majority of victims only realise the fraudulent act after reaching the Kingdom on a visit visa.

“However, after falling victim to the scammers they have no other option other than returning home or continuing their stay in the Kingdom as an illegal resident.” Majority of the victims are unskilled workers.

“Almost all South Asian and African cities are flooded with fake recruitment agents, who offer visit visas in the name of employment visas to innocent unskilled workers, who pay them huge amounts in their currencies. This is operated by a big racket across South Asian cities.”

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A Guide to Gulf Air Transit Accommodation

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Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, offers a unique service to its passengers called the Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC) program. This service aims to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable layover experience for passengers with extended transit times in Bahrain. In this article, we will explore the STPC concept, its benefits, eligibility criteria, and how to apply for this service.

Table of contents

What is a stopover paid by carrier (stpc), what does gulf air stpc provide, general eligibility criteria, monetary eligibility requirements, non-monetary eligibility requirements, what happens if you do not meet the eligibility requirements, what if a customer’s connection is cancelled and/or delayed beyond 7 hours.

Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC) is a service provided by some airlines to offer passengers with long layovers a complimentary hotel stay, meals, and transportation between the airport and the hotel when the transit is because there are no shorter scheduled flights for your route (i.e., because you are forced to, not because you want to sit in the lounge for an absorbent amount of time). Gulf Air’s STPC program is designed to make your transit experience in Bahrain more enjoyable and hassle-free.

Several other airlines also offer STPC programs for their passengers. Neighbouring Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines have the most prominent ones, with their Qatar Airways Transit Accommodation and Turkish Airlines Stopover in Istanbul programs. You can find a comprehensive list of airlines with stopover programs here .

Gulf Air’s STPC program offers passengers with qualifying layovers the following services:

• Complimentary hotel accommodation
• Meals at the hotel
• Transportation between Bahrain International Airport and the hotel

It is important to note that any additional charges, such as room service or minibar usage, are the responsibility of the passenger.

Eligibility for Gulf Air STPC

To qualify for Gulf Air’s STPC program, passengers must meet the following general eligibility criteria:

• The transit time in Bahrain must be between 8 and 24 hours
• Both the inbound and outbound flights must be operated by Gulf Air
• The passenger must hold a confirmed and ticketed reservation
• The STPC request must be made at least 72 hours before departure
• If your purchased ticket value is US450 (ticket fare + carrier imposed charges) or more (one-way and/or return ticket), you will be entitled to a complimentary STPC.
• If your purchased ticket value is less than US450 (ticket fare + carrier imposed charges) (one-way and/or return), you can book your STPC for a fee of USD80 per Adult and US55 per child (between the ages of 2-12 years old) before departing their originating destination. Infants below the age of 2 years will receive a complimentary stay.
• Your outbound and inbound flights to Bahrain must be booked on a Gulf Air flight (including Gulf Air Codeshare flights) and operated by Gulf Air.
• Should there be an available connecting flight within 7 hours out of Bahrain, your entitlement will not be applicable. All passengers choosing a longer connection will have to purchase a stopover product at their own expense.
• If you are under the age of 16 years and entitled to a Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC), you must be accompanied by either a parent or a guardian.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for Gulf Air’s STPC program, you may still be able to book a stopover product at your own expense.

For passengers travelling between the Indian Sub-continent and the Middle East or vice versa, if the fare value is less than USD450 (ticket fare + carrier imposed charges), they will receive up to two meal vouchers (for connections up to 12 hours). However, passengers can pre-purchase STPC (24 hrs before departure) at their own expense​.

Additional Considerations

All customers, irrespective of booking class, will be entitled to complimentary STPC if their connection is cancelled and/or delayed beyond 7 hours.

What if Bahrain immigration refuses entry to a customer who is entitled to STPC?

If Bahrain immigration refuses entry to a customer who is entitled to STPC, the following provisions will be made:

• Falcon Gold Customers will be entitled to use the Falcon Lounge and a meal voucher will be provided.
• All other customers will be provided with a meal voucher or accommodated at the airport transit hotel (subject to availability and eligibility).
• Customers who have purchased an STPC package and are denied entry, they will either be accommodated at the airport transit hotel or issued a refund.

Gulf Air’s Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC) program is a valuable service that aims to enhance the layover experience for passengers with extended transit times in Bahrain. By understanding the eligibility criteria and additional considerations, passengers can take advantage of this service and enjoy a more comfortable and enjoyable layover.

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eVisa for GCC residents

GCC residents and their companions need to apply online for a visa to enter the UAE. The visa is valid for 30 days and is extendable once for 30 days.

eVisa application

Notes and conditions.

GCC residents and their companions need to apply online for a visa and must obtain the same before arriving in the UAE.

• Entry permit for residents in the GCC countries - GDRFA Dubai
• Issue entry permit for GCC resident - Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security

Read notes and conditions relating to eVisa for GCC residents.

• eVisa will be sent to you to your registered email address once your application is approved
• Application for GCC expatriate residents and companions travelling with GCC citizens will not be approved if the sponsor is not travelling along with them
• GCC residents’ entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and they are allowed to stay for 30 days from the date of entry. The visa is extendable once for 30 days
• Entry permit for companions travelling with GCC citizens is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and they are allowed to stay for 60 days from the date of entry. The visa is extendable once for 60 days
• Upon arrival, if the GCC residence visa is found to be expired or cancelled, he will not be granted entry
• If the profession of the GCC resident is found to be changed after the issuance of his entry permit, the entry permit holder will not be granted entry
• GCC residency must be valid for at least 3 months from the arrival date
• The passport of GCC residents must be valid at least 3 months from the arrival date.

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Gulf Air OK TO BOARD Online

Planning a trip to Cyprus, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia with Gulf Air? Before you pack your bags, there's something very important to know about: 'OK to Board' and Gulf Air OK TO BOARD Online.

OK TO BOARD is a pre-visa verification conducted by the airline to ensure that your visa is original and all details match your passport and ticket copy. This process is to prevent travelers with fake visas going to Cyprus or any Gulf country.

Who Needs Gulf Air OK to Board?

For Indian passport holders with an ECR (Emigration Check Required) status, an OK to Board is mandatory when traveling on a student visa, work visa to Cyprus or any Gulf country.

This requirement also extends to those carrying eVisas for residence or employment, regardless of whether it's stamped in their passport.

However, if you possess an ECNR passport, you're exempt from this process.

Easy Online Process for Gulf Air OK to Board

Getting your Gulf Air OK to Board is really simple! You have two options:

Apply online through the ZiyaTrip Holidays website. Just fill out the form, attach the required documents, and make the payment. Make sure to do this at least 7 days before your flight.

If you prefer, you can mail everything to us at [email protected] , but keep in mind it might take a bit longer.

How to Check Ok to Board for Gulf Air Online

To check your Ok to Board status online, follow these steps:

1. Visit the ZiyaTrip Holidays website.

2. Go to the "OKTB" section and choose "check status".

3. Enter your application reference and Passport Number.

4. Look for the Ok to Board status click on "Check".

Your current status will be shown.

Gulf Air Ok to Board Charges Country wise

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Unified GCC tourist visa approved: What we know about the Schengen-style scheme

The long-awaited visa will create more job opportunities, in addition to improving regional economies.

Waheed Abbas

Sahim salim.

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Published: Wed 11 Oct 2023, 6:00 AM

Last updated: Thu 12 Oct 2023, 8:58 AM

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are now a step closer to launching a game-changing Schengen-style visa to boost tourism in the region.

Last week, during a meeting of GCC ministers in Muscat, Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism in Oman, announced that the unified visa has been approved unanimously.

The single visa is a tourist’s ticket to explore the six-member Gulf bloc – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Multiple Gulf ministers and top officials, including those in the UAE, have revealed in the past few months that the unified visa would be launched “soon”.

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The long-awaited visa will create more job opportunities, in addition to improving regional economies. Here is what we know about the unified tourist visa so far:

What is a unified GCC visa?

Similar to a Schengen visa that gives tourists access to several European countries, the GCC is looking to implement a visa that would let visitors hop between countries that make up the Gulf bloc.

Currently, tourists have to get visas of the six Gulf countries separately even though the destinations are connected via air and road.

How will the scheme help?

In May this year, a top UAE official had highlighted that tourists — especially long-haul ones — would benefit from a unified package to visit different countries in GCC. The scheme will also increase their length of stay, in addition to boosting tourist spending.

When will the visa be launched?

Omani media quoted minister Mahrouqi as saying that the scheme would be launched “very soon”. A timeline was not specified, but Oman Observer reported that it will be presented at a meeting of regional interior ministers in November in Muscat.

What would the scheme entail?

Once implemented, the scheme could see GCC countries carry out joint publicity campaigns. Officials had previously spoken about having a common booking platform and a joint tourism website.

Can residents of GCC countries apply for the visa?

Currently, citizens of GCC countries enjoy visa-free travel between the member states. It’s not immediately clear if expatriates residing in these countries can or would need to apply for the unified visa once it’s implemented. However, last month, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, said the GCC is considering a single visa system that will see its residents travel freely between member states.

How many countries can one visit with the visa?

Visa holders would be able to visit all six GCC countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.

What will be the cost and duration of the visa?

The price and validity of the visa have not been revealed so far. More details are expected to be announced by the end of the year.

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TRAVEL TO THE GULF COUNTRIES

Travel with air india to the gulf countries.

Air India flies to various countries in the Gulf. It is one of our busiest sectors, with passengers travelling to Kuwait, Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, and other regions in the Gulf. 

If you’re flying with us to any of these countries, please have your visa on arrival or OK To Board (OKTB) updated from an Air India office unless the original visa is stamped in the passport. 

If the passenger only has a photocopy or faxed copy of the visa or e-visa, the visa-on-arrival message is mandatory in the booking. The passenger must produce a copy of the e-visa or printout at a reservation office in India or one of the above countries. The following details will be added to the reservation booking reference number upon verification of the visa:   

• Passport number and validity  
• Visa number and validity  
• Type of visa and ‘OK To Board’ message.

Air India will only be held responsible if the information is reflected in the booking reference number and passengers can be allowed to board. Listed below, you'll find country-specific details to assist you. 

Visa on arrival and other travel requirements for Gulf countries

Bahrain issues visas through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) or the Ministry of Interior. OKTB is mandatory either from India or the destination country, and the online check can be done here .

Landing permit for transit passengers at Bahrain airport

Bahrain airport has replaced the 24-hour transit visa with a 72-hour visa, available for a BHD 05/USD 13 fee.

Restrictions on travelling by road from Bahrain airport to the Saudi Eastern province.

The King Fahad Causeway (KFC) immigration authority has declared that any passenger travelling via road from the Bahrain airport to the Saudi eastern province through KFC will be denied entry if they hold a visa for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bearing this sentence "Travel by Air Only". Passengers with a standard visa can travel without any restrictions.

Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

There is no OKTB requirement since the visa is stamped on the passport. The visa will be checked during check-in and at the immigration counters.

Customs regulations

Travellers flying from or to Saudi Arabia with cash and/or jewellery and/or bearer negotiable instruments (BNI) worth SAR 60,000 (USD 15,986) or more must complete a declaration form and submit it to the customs officer at the airport.

Immigration regulations towards female pilgrims

As per immigration regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

• Female pilgrims under the age of 45 are prohibited from entering the country without the presence of a male companion.
• The accompanying male should fulfil the Islamic criteria of Mahram; that is, he should be her father/brother/husband/son. 

Travelling with Zamzam water

Passengers cannot carry liquids (Zamzam packages) inside their check-in baggage from airports in Saudi Arabia. The regulations allow only passengers with Hajj or Umrah visas to transport one bottle of Zamzam water on departing international flights. The bottle is one of the regular bottles (5l/one gal) designated for air transport, produced by the King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Project for Zamzam water.

Four types of visas are issued in Kuwait (available in Arabic only). 

• Commercial visit
• Family dependency 

Family and commercial visit visas are paper visas for which the OKTB message from Air India's Kuwait office is mandatory. Also, a return ticket is compulsory. 

Family dependent and work visas are stamped in the passport by the Kuwait embassy and don't require OKTB messages. 

Sultanate of Oman

Visa application.

From eligibility to documentation processing, learn about all the steps involved while applying for an Oman visa here . The Royal Oman Police handles all visa applications (tourist/express/resident).

Immigration regulations for resident or employment visa holders

• Employment visa holders can stay outside Oman for a maximum of 180 days and should return before the period ends.
• The above condition does not apply to dependant resident visa holders. They can stay outside Oman for more than 180 days. 
• The maximum validity of a resident visa for Oman (employment/dependent) is two years. 

Visa on arrival

Oman only issues visas on arrival for residents of other Gulf countries. For travellers from non-Gulf countries, this facility is not available.

Even if passengers take an e-visa in advance, it will have a remark stating that the e-visa is valid only for travel from other Gulf countries to Oman.Passengers need to have a valid visa to enter Oman.

All visas issued by the ministry can be checked online or in Air India offices after checking validity here and incorporating the OKTB message in the booking.

Visas issued for passengers by the embassies of the State of Qatar and affixed to their passports (sticker) will allow them to enter the country during the visa's validity period, effective 30 January 2023. 

Round-trip ticket requirement for entry

According to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, tourist/business/family visa passengers must have a return ticket to enter Doha. Entry will be denied if passengers fail to present return tickets when requested by the immigration officers. 

United Arab Emirates

There is no OKTB requirement since the visa is stamped on the passport. The visa will be checked during check-in and at the immigration counters. This is valid for all emirates, including Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

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Gulf Air Issues New Travel Advisory For Passengers Traveling To Bahrain

• International / Travel Advisory

Gulf Air, the state-owned airline and the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain on Friday issued a travel advisory for all passengers traveling to Bahrain from India.

The airline in its advisory said, effective 27Apr2021 (Tuesday), all passengers booked to travel from India to the Kingdom of Bahrain should carry the RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) COVID-19 test result taken from ICMR approved labs with machine-readable QR code.

Passengers have to present a negative COVID 19 RT – PCR test result from test/sample taken not more than 48Hours prior to the departure of their flights.

Passengers without an RT-PCR report with a machine-readable QR code will not be accepted on Gulf Air flights between India to Bahrain.

Besides, All passengers arriving in the Kingdom of Bahrain must undergo a series of PCR tests (at their own expense), costing BD36.

The first test will take place on arrival and the second will take place five days later. The third and final test will take place on the 10th day of your stay in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

For the latest travel news and updates, Follow and connect with us on  Facebook ,  Twitter , Linkedin , Google News and Telegram !

Also Read: Coronavirus: Australia To Reduce Flights From India By 30 Percent

Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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Unified visa to travel in six Gulf countries: How will it benefit tourists?

A unified tourist visa was recently introduced for the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The meeting where the decision was taken also approved the launch of the first phase of an electronics system for interlinking data on traffic violations in GCC countries. Earlier, the UAE had revealed that a unified tourist visa for the Dubai-GCC area had been approved and that it would come into force in 2024. The UAE’s official news agency, WAM, had reported that the procedures for implementing the visa scheme would be discussed soon.

Easier for tourists to explore the region Once it comes into force, only one visa would be required for tourists to explore six Gulf nations – Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Schengen visa is a similar facility that makes it very convenient for tourists to visit European countries on a single visa. The visa is expected to become a reality within two years. It's expected to attract 12.87 crore tourists to the Gulf by 2030. During the visa period, travellers can stay in each country for a fixed number of days, visit tourist centres and proceed to the neighbouring country. The fact that it does not require any formal procedures will prove convenient to tourists.

There are 837 tourist sites in total in these six countries, of which the UAE has 399. The region also has a total of 224 tourism events and activities, as per reports. As for the number of hotel rooms, there are a total of 6,74, 832 in the region, which aims to increase its foreign tourists by over 220% by 2030.  

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Government sets new provisions for travelling abroad on visit visa

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The government on Tuesday issued new provisions for travelling abroad on a visit visa.

The new provisions will be implemented for Nepali travellers from Wednesday, the Department of Immigration said in a travel advisory.

Earlier, 17 different criteria including knowing the English language, passing grade 12 and spending at least two years in a foreign country among others were set for travelling abroad on a visit visa.

From Wednesday, travellers going abroad on a visit visa must carry a passport with a six-month validity with a valid visa for countries other than issuing on-arrival visa, present two-way air tickets and hotel booking and proof of exchanging USD500.

Hotel booking is not required if the traveller will be living in the accommodation of his/her relative. Such travellers should present a document revealing the relation with the relative instead.

Likewise, a US dollar exchange is not required if someone is invited by government or nongovernment organisations and such organisations will bear all the travel expenses. The traveller should present the invitation letter instead, according to the provision. Similarly, travellers visiting the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia on a visit visa should fill up a self-declaration form that mentions they will not be engaged in activities other than travelling.

The government has requested not to get involved in activities other than the purpose of the visa and to return to the home country within the duration of the visa. Saying that there is no additional fee required for travelling on a visit visa, the government has requested one and all not fall into false promises of middlemen. 

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Unified tourist visa for six Gulf countries to start between 2024 and 2025, says UAE minister

• Environment

Gulf Cooperation Council’s tourism ministers meet in Oman, endorse rollout of scheme

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Abu Dhabi: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will roll out a unified Gulf tourist visa within the next two years, which will allow visa holders to travel across the six Gulf countries.

This was announced today by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, who said the seventh meeting of GCC tourism ministers in Oman has unanimously endorsed its rollout to be presented at the upcoming GCC summit.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the minister said that specific regulations and legislation for the visa will be developed, with a targeted rollout between 2024 and 2025, subject to the readiness of each GCC country’s internal systems.

Al Marri noted that this new visa will open doors to travellers, granting them access to six countries under a single, unified tourist visa, ultimately fostering economic synergy across the Gulf region.

Seven-emirate tourist route

He said the UAE is getting ready to welcome the new flow of international tourists with the introduction of the unified visa. The Emirates Tourism Council has formulated a tourist route within the UAE that interconnects its seven emirates, the minister said. This strategic move positions the UAE to be well-prepared and equipped for the integration with the GCC, upon fully activating the unified tourist visa, thereby introducing a new, enticing tourism product to captivate international tourists in the Arabian Gulf region.

“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,” the UAE Minister added.

The tourism sector’s current contribution to the UAE’s GDP stands at 14 percent, with aspirations to raise this figure to 18 percent to fulfil the nation’s strategic tourism objectives.

Al Marri also emphasised that GCC countries possess sophisticated and qualified travel and tourism infrastructure. As of the end of 2022, the GCC boasted a total of 10,649 hotel establishments, marking a 1.2 percent growth compared to 2016. Within the GCC, the UAE alone boasts 1,114 hotel establishments, ranking second in the GCC after Saudi Arabia. The total number of hotel rooms in the GCC reached 674,832, with a 0.4 percent growth.

He further stated that the GCC joint tourism strategy ‘2023-2030’ targets an annual increase of seven percent in inbound trips to GCC countries. The number of visitors to GCC countries reached 39.8 million last year, showing a 136.6 percent growth compared to 2021, with a target of reaching 128.7 million visitors by 2030.

GCC countries aim to increase the spending of inbound tourists by 8.0 percent annually. It is expected to reach $96.9 billion by the end of 2023, with a 12.8 percent growth compared to 2022, and reach $188 billion by 2030.

He clarified that GCC countries aim to increase the direct GDP contribution of the travel and tourism sector by seven percent annually. The total value added to the GDP of GCC countries’ travel and tourism sector is expected to reach $185.9 billion in 2023, with an 8.5 percent growth compared to 2022, when it achieved $171.4 billion.

Al Marri pointed out that the GCC countries have 837 tourist sites, with the UAE having 399 of them, making it the GCC leader in the number of tourist sites. The UAE also hosts the majority of events and tourist activities in GCC countries, with 73 tourist events out of a total of 224 in the Gulf region.

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