Tourism’s economic value in the Gulf Cooperation Council reached $254.7 billion in 2025, supporting 4.5 million jobs, as the sector strengthens its contribution to regional economies and expands its presence in the global tourism market, according to GCC-Stat.
As World Tourism Day is marked today, Belvera Partners has brought travel technology leaders together to examine how AI is accelerating changes across tourism. The speakers highlighted its growing impact on destination discovery, direct bookings, customer experiences and the wider travel value chain.
The GCC’s tourism sector is showing signs of recovery following significant disruption from the regional conflict, according to Richard Stolz, Partner – Tourism at Roland Berger Middle East.
Travel and tourism conditions have strengthened across most of the world, a new World Economic Forum report finds, but destinations face a growing challenge: turning record demand into lasting value amid rising costs, geopolitical and climate disruptions.
Bahrain and Malaysia are set to deepen tourism and travel ties as Gulf Air launches direct flights to Kuala Lumpur on September 29, 2026, ahead of the Formula 1 event at Sepang International Circuit, boosting connectivity and access for travellers.
Al Jabal Al Akhdar is stepping up tourism preparations after being named Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2027, as visitor numbers and hotel revenues grow. The wilayat welcomed 101,608 visitors in the first half of 2026.
Ras Al Khaimah's property market continued to attract investment during the first half, supported by demand for residential and tourism-related assets and a growing pipeline of major developments. Apartment sale prices rose about 18% year-on-year to AED2,298 per square foot, while villa prices increased 7.3%, said a report.
Hong Kong is intensifying efforts to boost tourism and attract major sports and cultural events, with the sectors highlighted as priorities under the city’s 2026-2030 development plan and latest Policy Address.
Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia, is strengthening its position as a tourism destination after hosting a three-day motorcycle tour that brought together 354 riders from Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, alongside 22 international participants.
Egypt’s tourism ambitions are driving airlines to rethink capacity planning, with the country targeting 30 million annual visitors by 2030. As demand fluctuates seasonally, ACMI and wet leasing could offer carriers greater flexibility to manage short-term capacity gaps and growth, according to Justinas Bulka, CEO at KlasJet.
