GCC tourism revenues reach $131.9 billion on 75.7 million arrivals

GCC tourism revenues reached $131.9 billion in 2025 on 75.7 million international arrivals, up 9.7 percent and 4.9 percent respectively year-on-year, according to data published by the GCC Statistical Center.

Regional tourism revenues climb 9.7 percent#

Tourism revenues across the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council rose to $131.9 billion in 2025 from $120.2 billion in 2024, GCC-STAT reported. The 9.7 percent year-on-year increase outpaced the 4.9 percent growth in international arrivals, which reached 75.7 million visitors in 2025 compared with 72.2 million in 2024. The data covers the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. GCC-STAT published the figures as part of its annual tourism sector report.

International arrivals reach 75.7 million visitors#

International tourist arrivals to GCC member states totalled 75.7 million in 2025, GCC-STAT data showed. The 4.9 percent year-on-year increase from 72.2 million arrivals in 2024 reflects continued growth in cross-border travel to the region. The statistical center tracks arrivals across all six GCC countries, measuring visitor flows at airports, land crossings and seaports. The 2025 figure represents the total number of international arrivals recorded by immigration authorities in the member states during the calendar year.

Revenue growth outpaces arrival growth by 4.8 percentage points#

The 9.7 percent increase in tourism revenues exceeded the 4.9 percent growth in arrivals by 4.8 percentage points in 2025, GCC-STAT data indicated. Tourism revenues climbed to $131.9 billion from $120.2 billion, while arrivals rose to 75.7 million from 72.2 million over the same period. The divergence between revenue growth and visitor growth suggests higher per-visitor spending in 2025 compared with 2024, though GCC-STAT did not publish average spend figures in the report.

GCC-STAT publishes annual tourism sector data#

The GCC Statistical Center released the tourism figures as part of its annual sector report covering all six member states. GCC-STAT compiles data from national statistical agencies, immigration authorities and tourism ministries across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. The center publishes tourism statistics including international arrivals, revenues, hotel occupancy rates and visitor origin markets on an annual basis.