ATM 2024: GCC unified visa ‘GCC Grand Tours’ to allow visitors to travel to 6 countries for over 30 days

ATM 2024: GCC unified visa ‘GCC Grand Tours’ to allow visitors to travel to 6 countries for over 30 days

Dubai: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) unified Gulf tourist visa – to be named the ‘GCC Grand Tours’ – will allow travellers to visit all six GCC states and spend more than 30 days in the region, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri announced Monday on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market.

He said, “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 travellers to visit all six countries. Through the GCC Grand Tours, that we are working on and aiming to finish, will allow tourists to spent more than 30 days in the region.”

According to the Minister, this will make travel to the region more convenient and affordable for tourists. It will also increase activity and employment numbers in the region, explained the Minister.

The GCC states unanimously approved the Unified Gulf Tourist Visa in November last year. A roll out date is yet to be announced.

Al Marri also said that in 2021, international spending in the GCC captures a total of 35 per cent of the market. “The travellers footprint across