1.4 BILLION INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVAL IN 2018
10 MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY
1.7 MILLION VISITORS ATTRACTED IN 2017
The GCC is gaining a stronger position to become a world-class global tourism hub backed by competitive advantages that attract international travellers looking for new tourism experiences, according to a report released by Orient Planet Research.
The report highlighted that the GCC recorded 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals in 2018, up by 6% from the previous year. This confirms the successful efforts of the UAE, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman in establishing a greater presence on the regional and global tourism map.
According to the report, the UAE receives more than 10 million visitors annually, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai among the most attractive places to visit for tourists. Sharjah is rapidly increasing its tourism appeal too, having attracted 1.7 million visitors in 2017.
Conversely, many tourists from the region spend more time travelling to popular destinations worldwide. Arab airlines have significantly contributed to international travel and tourism by connecting various global destinations.
The report further emphasised the need to strengthen regulatory and legal frameworks governing the tourism industry to drive growth in this vital sector.