Gulf's version of the Schengen visa to be called 'GCC Grand Tours', open up access to six countries

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced a new unified tourist visa called "GCC Grand Tours," allowing travelers to visit all six Gulf countries and stay for over 30 days. This initiative, unveiled by the United Arab Emirates Minister of Economy, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, at the Arabian Travel Mar ket (ATM), aims to boost tourism and make travel across the GCC region more convenient.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, also called the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The GCC Grand Tours visa is designed to attract a higher number of tourists by simplifying the process of visiting multiple countries in the region, similar to the European Union's Schengen visa. This new unified visa is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the tourism sector in the Gulf and increase the number of hotel guests, ultimately establishing the region as a leading destination for regional and international tourists.


Minister Al Marri's announcement came after a panel discussion featuring key figures from various GCC tourism authorities, including Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority; Azzan al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman; and Sarah Buhijji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.

The panelists highlighted the importance of inter-regional initiatives in promoting tourism across the GCC countries, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The concept of a unified GCC tourist visa has been in the works since October last year, with unanimous approval from the GCC states. The goal is to foster economic growth in the region by streamlining tourist travel. Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooq, confirmed that feedback on the unified visa plan was sought by December 2023. In April, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri reiterated the importance of the unified visa in attracting international tourists and highlighted its potential to showcase the region's diverse tourist destinations.

Authorities in the UAE estimate that the unified GCC tourist visa could lead to a record number of visitors, with projections indicating a total of 128.7 million visitors by 2030. This surge in tourism is expected to have a significant impact on the regional economy, creating new opportunities for business and cultural exchange, as well as elevating the GCC's status as a premier travel destination.