ATM 2024: The GCC unified visa shall be fully operational by the end of 2024.
Now called the GCC Grand Tours, the system will enable a seamless travel experience for both the citizens and expatriates of the six countries.
Dubai: The Unified GCC tourist visa, from now on will be called the GCC Grand Tours and shall be fully operational by the end of this year. The UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri announced Monday on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market.
While the GCC citizens are already allowed to travel within the regional countries without a visa, the added feature in the new system will also enable the expatriates to have visa-free travel.
Towards a more convenient and affordable tourism
The multi-entry visa, says the UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, will enable tourists to spend more than 30 days in the six GCC countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait. "This will make travel to our region more convenient and affordable for tourists," he stated.
“Once it comes into effect, it will contribute to highlighting the diverse tourism destinations in GCC countries, attracting and retaining tourists for longer periods, thus increasing the number of hotel guests and making the region one of the leading destinations for regional and international tourists alike,” Al Marri said after attending a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on April 28 and 29.
e-service is the cornerstone
Khalid Jasim Al Mdifa of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority informed attendees at the ATM that the entire system will be operational by the end of the year. He emphasized that relevant authorities are working diligently to achieve this goal, with security being a top priority. Al Mdifa highlighted e-services as the cornerstone of the GCC Grand Tours.
A joint collaboration
To streamline tourism processes Gulf countries are collaborating with major tourist operators and hotels to implement this package. This joint effort seeks to make it easier for visitors to explore the diverse attractions the region has to offer. "As a government, we create the right platform that enables them to create business. So work closely with the private sector we make it happen.”
“Once it comes into effect, it will contribute to highlighting the diverse tourism destinations in GCC countries, attracting and retaining tourists for longer periods, thus increasing the number of hotel guests and making the region one of the leading destinations for regional and international tourists alike,” Al Marri said after attending a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on April 28 and 29.
A one-package region
Sarah Buhijji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, further elaborated, "Visitors can stay in Bahrain for 3 nights, then proceed to Oman and Saudi Arabia. We are promoting the entire region as one package. We have signed an MoU with Saudi Arabia to jointly promote our countries as one destination, and we are pursuing similar agreements with other regional countries."
The GCC's Grand Tour initiative represents a significant step forward in regional tourism, promising enhanced accessibility and an enriched travel experience for visitors exploring the vibrant and diverse Gulf region.