The possible growth avenues for the GCC’s tourism market

The possible growth avenues for the GCC’s tourism market

GCC governments have made tourism a top development priority. Governments, destinations, and tourism providers are making considerable efforts and investing significant resources to reach ambitious targets. For example, Saudi Arabia is aiming for more than 100 million foreign and domestic tourists per year by 2030. Bahrain seeks to become a top family destination for regional and international visitors. A key enabler of these efforts will be offering digitally-enhanced experience tourism products and tourism that is unconventional and innovative. The most appealing tourism products relate to experience. Globally people are doing more than booking hotels and flights—they are consuming experiences. These can be culinary tours, such as Devour Barcelona, or culture-related, such as taking in the skyscrapers of central Chicago. There are opportunities for similar experiences in the GCC, such as appreciating the region’s rich history, or its impressive natural environment as a place to enjoy wellness and relaxation. Increasingly digital technology is enlivening experiences. People get a taste of the experience before they travel, for example through virtual reality, then afterwards they relive the experience by sharing pictures and videos. There are thousands of digitally-enhanced experience products available for travelers in mature markets, indicating a similar opportunity for GCC countries.