A unified tourist visa for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, similar to the Schengen-like visa for tourists worldwide, has been approved by the interior minister of the Gulf states in Oman last week. This will boost the demand for short-term rentals in the UAE, as well as create new jobs in the travel, tourism and aviation sectors. The single GCC tourist visa will benefit the region’s economies, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The GCC countries have 837 tourist sites, with the UAE having the most at 399. The UAE also leads the region in hosting tourism events and activities, with 73 out of 224. These numbers are part of the GCC’s 2030 strategy.
The unified tourist visa for the GCC countries will increase the opportunities for tourism, hospitality, and real estate sectors in the region. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to gain the most from the single GCC tourist visa, just like the Schengen countries.
Dubai Tourism reported that the emirate welcomed 12.4 million visitors in the first nine months of 2023, a massive jump from the total 7.08 million visitors in 2022, which was 97% higher than the number in 2021.
Short-term rental listings in the UAE have increased by 25 per cent in 2023, according to the classified website dubizzle. Dubai saw a 26 per cent rise in the same category, showing a positive trend in the market.
The single GCC tourist visa will also make the market more competitive and affect the pricing strategies.
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