Tourism revenue across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rose by 9.7 percent in 2025, reaching approximately $131.9 billion, according to data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat). The increase outpaced the growth in visitor numbers, reflecting higher average spending per tourist.

The region saw a 4.9 percent rise in the number of tourists, with about 75.7 million visitors recorded during the year. More than 20 million tourists traveled between GCC member states in 2025, marking a 3.6 percent increase compared to 2024. Average revenue per international visitor stood at around $1,743, indicating a boost in the economic value generated by tourism.

The figures were published in a bulletin titled “GCC Tourism in the Era of Smart Transformation,” released to coincide with World Tourism Day. The report projects that tourism will contribute nearly $365.7 billion to the GCC’s gross domestic product by 2035 and support approximately 5.8 million jobs across the region.

The hospitality sector also showed expansion, with the number of hotel establishments increasing by 4.8 percent to about 12,400 in 2025. This growth signals ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure and services throughout the GCC countries.

GCC-Stat highlighted the significant role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in evolving the regional tourism industry. These innovations are expected to enhance visitor experiences, facilitate better decision-making, develop workforce skills, and contribute to more efficient and sustainable destination management.

All GCC countries scored at least 60 points on the mobile application development index. This level of digital capability is seen as a foundation for advancing tourism applications, helping travelers access information and services before, during, and after their trips.