Categories: Travel

Schengen-like unified GCC tourist visa to be rolled out by end of this year, ET TravelWorld

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Top GCC governemnt officials at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 have confirmed that the much-discussed GCC unified tourist visa will be rolled out by the end of the year. Named ‘GCC Grand Tours,’ this Schengen-style visa will permit travellers to explore Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait for over 30 days within the region.

This move is expected to enhance convenience and attract a larger number of tourists interested in exploring multiple destinations within the region.

UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri hailed the move as a significant step toward simplifying travel logistics and bolstering tourism. He announced, “In a significant move aimed at simplifying travel logistics and fostering tourism, the Gulf Cooperation Council has given the green light to a unified tourist visa that will allow travelers to visit all six countries.”

Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA), added that the new visa system is expected to be operational by the end of the year. “By the end of this year, the whole system will be in place. Many people are working on it tirelessly to make it happen in the best possible way,” he affirmed.

The travel insurance sector is expected to see new trends with the new visa rules. In fact, some new trends are already taking shape. As per the data, there has been already a three to four per cent increase in users booking long-term travel insurance policies exceeding 45 days in April 2024 as compared to March’24. This trend is expected to get further push with to the relaxed visa norms.

The GCC Unified Tourist Visa has been identified as a key driver for growth in the region’s travel sector. Panelists at the ATM highlighted that the unified visa would position the GCC as a connected destination, enhancing accessibility and driving key performance indicators such as length of stay, average spend, and employment opportunities. Travellers holding the GCC Grand Tours visa are expected to be permitted to stay in the region for more than 30 days, allowing for extensive exploration and tourism experiences across multiple countries.

The unified tourist visa is also anticipated to have a positive economic impact on the GCC region by driving tourism-related revenue, encouraging longer stays, increasing tourist spending, and creating employment opportunities within the tourism sector.