The Gulf countries are taking steps to create a unified visa system known as the 'GCC zone' to enhance tourism in the region. The plan, which is expected to be officially announced by December, aims to connect the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, under a single tourist visa program. This decision was made during the seventh meeting of GCC ministers of tourism in Oman, receiving unanimous approval. The concept of a unified visa for the GCC states was initially introduced in May 2023 during a conference in Dubai, where ministers expressed their desire to encourage cross-country tourism within the region, similar to European travel patterns.
The UAE Economy Minister, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, recently provided updates on this initiative during a conference in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the benefits of collaboration among GCC countries, stating, "What's good for Saudi is good for the GCC," emphasizing the idea that collective progress benefits all member nations. This unified visa initiative falls under the broader framework of the "Gulf Strategy for Tourism 2023-2030," which is also under development. Additionally, the meeting addressed the establishment of a GCC Tourism Statistics Platform to further support tourism development in the region.
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