Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Destination Tourism Market Insights, Foreign Direct Investment, Source Markets and Opportunities, 2023 Update

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Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) Destination Tourism Insight Report Overview

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional political and economic union comprised of six member states Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates that account for a substantial portion of global crude oil production. The total number of international arrivals in GCC amounted to 49.08 million in 2022. The region garnered a total inbound expenditure of $66.06 billion in 2022. The GCC collectively represents one of the world’s wealthiest and economically stable regions. It is characterized by a resource-rich economy heavily reliant on oil and gas exports. In recent years, member states have shown a growing interest in diversifying their economies beyond oil and gas. Initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aim to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons by promoting sectors like tourism, technology, and finance. These endeavors seek to establish sustainable economic models capable of weathering global energy market fluctuations.

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The GCC Destination Tourism Trends Insight report provides an in-depth analysis of a tourist destination and its key source markets, as well as an assessment of the trends and issues in the covered destination market, in this case, GCC.

Total International Arrivals (2022) 49.08 million
Key Countries ·        UAE

·        Saudi Arabia

·        Kuwait

·        Bahrain

·        Qatar

·        Oman

Key Traveller Types ·        Solo Travellers

·        Groups

·        Families

·        Couples

Key Sectors (Inbound Expenditure) ·        Accommodation

·        Entertainment & Sightseeing

·        Foodservice

·        Retail

·        Transportation

·        Travel Intermediation

Key Source Markets ·        India

·        Pakistan

·        United Kingdom

·        United States

·        China

·        Europe

Key Tourism Types

·        Sun & Beach Tourism

·        Religious Tourism

·        Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) Travel

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GCC Destination Tourism Market Trends

Total inbound expenditure to the GCC has grown rapidly, simultaneous with increased inbound visitation. As international travel began to resume in 2021 post the pandemic, inbound expenditure increased in 2022. All the GCC countries took similar actions and introduced strict lockdowns to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. All countries are beginning to ease and international arrivals from certain lower-risk countries are beginning to rise. Furthermore, aside from Saudi Arabia, leisure is the top inbound travel purpose for all six of the GCC countries and is particularly prevalent in countries such as the UAE. As a destination, the region has an abundance of characteristics to appeal to any inbound leisure traveler, including sun and beach, cuisine, tradition, nature, the city, relaxation, art, and outdoor activities.

All the GCC countries are forecast to either reach or exceed 2019 levels by 2023. Leisure is the most popular purpose for travel, accounting for more than 60% of all international arrivals. The leading destination for leisure is the UAE, followed by Kuwait. Moreover, the GCC is an attractive destination for all user types, including solo travelers, groups, families, and couples. The GCC attracts multiple user types for its natural and cultural tourism, diverse activities on offer, and luxury travel experiences.

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GCC Destination Tourism Market Segmentation by Countries

The key countries in the GCC destination tourism market are UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. In 2022, the UAE had the largest number of international arrivals.  Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the country boasts one of the world’s busiest ports in Dubai’s Jebel Ali, and is home to major international airlines, making it a global logistics and transportation hub. Additionally, the UAE has actively contributed to regional security efforts, participating in coalitions, and providing support for peacekeeping initiatives. The UAE has emerged as a leading global tourist destination, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe. Its diverse offerings encompass a unique blend of cultural heritage, modernity, and natural attractions.

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Country, 2022 (%)

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Country, 2022 (%)

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GCC Destination Tourism Market Segmentation by Traveler Types

The main travelers in the GCC destination tourism market are solo travelers, groups, families, and couples. Families accounted for the largest share of inbound travelers to the GCC in 2022. Travel companies may display family packages or discounts and leverage the family fun factor of the accommodation or destination.

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Traveler Type, 2022 (%)

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Traveler Type, 2022 (%)

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GCC Destination Tourism Market Segmentation by Sector

The key sectors with considerable inbound expenditure in the GCC destination tourism market are accommodation, entertainment & sightseeing, foodservice, retail, transportation, travel intermediation, and other sectors. In 2022, the accommodation sector accounted for the largest portion of inbound expenditure.

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Sector, 2022 (%)

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Sector, 2022 (%)

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GCC Destination Tourism Market Segmentation by Source Markets

The key source markets in the GCC destination tourism market are India, Pakistan, China, Europe, the US, and the UK. In 2022, India was the largest source market for the GCC combined with 6.15 million arrivals, followed by Pakistan. There is a large ex-pat community of Indians in the UAE who work in the country, especially in the construction industry. The abundance of flight connectivity between India and the UAE is vast. Many carriers connect cities across both countries and the availability of low-cost flights is high and allows for affordable travel.

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Source Markets, 2022 (%)

GCC Destination Tourism Market Analysis by Source Markets, 2022 (%)

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GCC Destination Tourism Market Segmentation by Tourism Type

The most preferred tourism types in the GCC destination tourism market are sun and beach travel, religious travel, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel. Sun and beach holidays are attractive to many top GCC source markets. The coastal regions and islands located in GCC countries make them favorable destinations for travelers seeking this type of holiday.

Furthermore, traveling for the purpose of religious tourism is more important to source markets within the GCC than globally. The region is home to sites of high religious importance driving visitation. Pilgrimages to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia are of high importance to Muslims around the world. Those able to do so can partake in Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many and takes place during the final few days of the Islamic calendar.

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Segments Covered in this Report

GCC Destination Tourism Country Outlook (Inbound Arrivals, 2022)

  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • Bahrain
  • Qatar
  • Oman

GCC Destination Tourism Traveler Type Outlook (%, 2022)

  • Solo Travellers
  • Groups
  • Families
  • Couples

GCC Destination Tourism Inbound Expenditure by Sector Outlook ($ Million, 2009-2027)

  • Accommodation
  • Entertainment & Sightseeing
  • Food service
  • Retail
  • Transportation
  • Travel Intermediation

GCC Destination Tourism Arrival Source Outlook (Thousand, 2009-2027)

  • India
  • Pakistan
  • United Kingdom
  • US
  • China
  • Europe

Scope

This report is part of GlobalData’s Destination Market Insights Series. These reports provide an in-depth analysis of a tourist destination and its key source markets, as well as an assessment of the trends and issues in the covered destination market, in this case the GCC.

Key Highlights

Prior to COVID-19, inbound flows to the six GCC member countries were growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2015 and 2019, to reach xx million international arrivals in 2019. Many factors had contributed to this notable growth, including the GCC’s cultural, heritage and natural attractions, sport and entertainment tourism, and geographic proximity to Europe, Africa, and the APAC region. Many GCC countries are highly dependent on neighboring regional countries to support their tourism economies. In 2019, arrivals from other The GCC countries accounted for xx% of international arrivals to the The GCC region, as inbound flows increased to xx million in 2019 (CAGR 2015-19: xx%). With COVID-19 restrictions lifted the UAE remained the most visited GCC destination in 2022. Prior to COVID-19, international arrivals to the UAE were growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of xx% between 2015 and 2019 to reach xx million arrivals in 2019. Total inbound expenditure to the The GCC region has grown steadily, aligned with increased inbound visitation. Pre-COVID-19, total inbound spend reached a high of $xx billion (CAGR 2015-19: xx%). In 2020, total inbound expenditure declined by xx% YoY to $xx billion, before recovering by xx% YoY to $xx billion in 2022. As international travel resumes, total inbound spend will exceed 2019 levels to reach $xx billion by 2027 (CAGR 2023-27: xx%).

Reasons to Buy

  • Obtain a clear and detailed insight into new developments in two popular tourist destinations.
  • Use data and analysis to explore trends related to international arrivals and spending, tourism segments as well as construction, foreign direct investments (FDI), airlines, and hotel developments.
  • Gain a better understanding of the opportunities in the market, as well as the risks, to support better business decisions.

Mastercard
Mariott
FitsAir
WizzAir
Emirates
Etihad Airlines
Qatar Airways
FlyDubai

Table of Contents

Overview

Key Trends

Tourism Construction Projects

Foreign Direct Investment

COVID-19 Impact

Source Markets

Types of Tourism

Destination Focus: Kuwait

Destination Focus: Bahrain

Regional Risk and SWOT Analysis

Appendix

Frequently asked questions

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