GCC tourism sector hits $247 billion, poised for further growth

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) travel and tourism sector added $247.1 billion to the region’s GDP in 2024, marking a 31.9 percent jump from 2019, according to new figures from the GCC Statistical Centre. Tourism’s share of GDP is forecast to reach $371.2 billion by 2034, accounting for 13.3 percent of the region’s economy. The sector also plays a vital role in job creation, with employment contributions valued at $4.3 billion in 2024—up 24.9 percent from 2019—and an estimated 1.3 million new jobs expected by 2034. The report, “Tourism in the GCC: A Gateway to Development and Sustainable Transformation,” highlights rising youth and women’s participation in the industry. Women represented 13 percent of the workforce in 2024, up 73.2 percent since 2019. Eco-tourism and intra-GCC travel are also on the rise, with natural reserves expanding and 19.3 million intra-regional tourists recorded in 2024.