Muscat, September 28 (QNA) - The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) expected tourism to contribute approximately US$365.7 billion to the GDP of GCC countries by 2035.

The tourism sector is also expected to provide 5.8 million jobs across the GCC by 2035.

A statistical bulletin issued by GCC-Stat on the occasion of World Tourism Day, observed annually on Sept. 27, indicated that more than 20 million tourists traveled between GCC countries during 2025, an increase of 3.6% compared with 2024. The bulletin also reviewed key tourism-sector indicators and the level of digital readiness across GCC countries under the title gulf tourism in the era of smart transformation.

The Centre explained that the rapid transformations driven by digital technologies and AI are moving Gulf tourism into a new phase based on data and innovation. This transformation aims to improve the tourist experience, support decision-making, develop skills, and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of tourism-destination management.

Preliminary data published in the bulletin showed that approximately 75.7 million tourists arrived in GCC countries during 2025, an increase of 4.9% compared with 2024. Tourism revenues, meanwhile, rose by 9.7% to approximately US$131.9 billion.

The significant increase in tourism revenues compared with the growth rate in tourist arrivals indicates an improvement in the economic value generated by tourism activity and an increase in average tourist spending. Average tourism revenue reached approximately US$1,743 per inbound tourist during the year.

The bulletin indicated that the total number of hotel establishments across the GCC countries reached approximately 12,400, an increase of 4.8% compared with 2024. This reflects the continued expansion of accommodation capacity and investment in hospitality facilities and tourism services.

The Centre highlighted the digital enablers supporting the redesign of the future of tourism, emphasizing that advanced digital infrastructure represents a key pillar for developing tourism services and experiences and supporting the transition toward smarter and more integrated tourism.

The results also showed that all GCC countries scored 60 points or higher on the Mobile Application Development Index. This reflects their advanced digital capabilities, which can be leveraged to develop innovative tourism applications, facilitate visitors’ access to information and services, and improve the user experience before, during, and after their trips.

The bulletin emphasizes that the future of Gulf tourism depends not only on increasing visitor numbers and expanding hotel facilities, but also on the sector’s ability to leverage data, AI, and digital applications to understand tourists’ needs, forecast demand, personalize services, and manage destinations efficiently and sustainably.

The indicators also underscore the importance of enhancing the integration of tourism data among GCC countries, developing shared digital platforms, and connecting booking, transportation, and event services.

These efforts would contribute to creating a seamless and interconnected Gulf tourism experience, maximizing the economic value generated by each tourist, and strengthening the region’s position on the global tourism map. (QNA)