The Unified GCC Tourist Visa is nearing its implementation, with the pilot phase to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The latest update comes from Al-Ittihad’s interview with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri on July 21, 2025.
Minister Abdullah reiterated the importance of the tourism sector in the economic growth of the UAE, adding that it makes up 13% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). He anticipates that this figure will increase to 17% in the next few years.
The UAE has seen a surge in the number of hotel guests, with a sharp increase of 9.5% from 28.08 million in 2023 to 30.75 million in 2024. For 2025, Minister Abdullah expects the number of hotel guests to hit 33 million and for hotel revenues to increase by 7%.
The Economy and Tourism Minister highlighted that the ministry has signed 38 memoranda of understanding and 3 executive work programs to strengthen international cooperation in the tourism sector with several key regional and international tourism markets.
Stressing the economic value of the tourism sector, Minister Abdullah revealed that tourism investments have grown from AED 28.8 billion in 2023 to AED 32.2 billion in 2024. He anticipates that investments will reach AED 35.2 billion in 2025.
Speaking about the GCC Tourist Visa, Minister Abdullah confirmed that the pilot phase of the visa will be launched during the fourth quarter of 2025, with an impending full implementation.
He called it a strategic move towards enhancing tourism integration among the six Gulf countries. Similar to the Schengen visa, the Unified GCC visa will facilitate borderless travel across the GCC countries and boost the region’s attractiveness as a tourism destination.