Manama:Tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has witnessed significant growth, with revenues increasing by 9.7% in 2025. This growth was highlighted in the latest report by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT), which detailed various advancements in the sector, including an increase in tourist arrivals and the expansion of hotel establishments.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the GCC countries attracted 75.7 million tourists in 2025, marking a 4.9% rise compared to 2024. The tourism revenues reached USD 131.9 billion, with intra-GCC tourism accounting for 20.1 million of the total tourist arrivals, a 3.6% increase from the previous year.
The report also noted that the total number of hotel establishments in the GCC countries grew to 12,400 in 2025, reflecting a 4.8% increase from 2024. This expansion underscores the region's ability to accommodate rising demand and offers a variety of accommodation options and services for visitors.
Tourism is emphasized as a key driver of economic diversification in the GCC, linking to multiple sectors such as transport, aviation, hospitality, and retail. The report highlights tourism's role in fostering investment, creating jobs, and bolstering non-oil economic activities in the region.
In terms of digital transformation, the report reviewed key indicators of digital readiness that are reshaping tourism services and experiences in the GCC. The Emerging Technology Adoption Index for 2025 showed GCC countries scoring between 34 and 99 points, with three countries ranking among the top 20 globally. The Mobile App Development Index scored between 60 and 77 points, indicating a robust digital infrastructure for developing tourism applications. In the Online Government Services Index, scores ranged between 56 and 99 points, with three GCC nations ranking in the top 25 globally.
The report confirms that digital transformation is crucial in enhancing the competitiveness of Gulf tourism. This includes leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and digital applications to better understand tourists' needs, forecast demand, and provide personalized services, all while improving the management of tourism destinations and resource efficiency.
Furthermore, the report underscores the importance of digital integration among GCC countries. Developing shared platforms for booking, transport, events, and tourism information services is seen as essential for offering a seamless and integrated Gulf experience, promoting intra-GCC tourism, and maximizing the region's diverse attractions.