Industry experts are supporting a resilient Gulf tourism sector to reach new heights despite the regional challenges it faces.
The arrival of the long-awaited unified GCC tourist visa and the expansion of the region's rail network have strengthened the view that the Middle East can rival Europe in terms of connectivity and ease of travel.
The effects of the war in Gaza and attacks on ships in the Red Sea are widespread across the region's tourism sector.
But as with other setbacks, such as the coronavirus pandemic, the industry is poised to bounce back strongly and bring in more tourists.
Jordanian hotel occupancy rates are expected to decline in the first quarter of 2024, with booking rates expected to be around 25-32% in Amman, 18-20% in the Dead Sea and less than 10% in Petra, according to local reports. It is said that there is
Rail could be the point-to-point connection we need.It could be a cabin cruise, it could be a desert cruise.
Mr. Fahad Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority
Egypt recorded 3.6 million visitors between October and December last year, 600,000 fewer than the expected 4.2 million, with numbers expected to recover in early 2024.
Despite instability in the region, the UAE maintains the trust of travelers around the world, according to Dubai Economic and Tourism Authority.
From January to March, Dubai welcomed 5.18 million overnight guests, an 11% increase on last year's numbers.
Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Haitham Matar, managing director for the Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the travel industry was proving to be durable.
“Our industry has been through a lot, from foot-and-mouth disease to volcanic ash clouds to SARS to the 2008 financial crisis,” he said.
“But it was only COVID-19 that disrupted the industry.
Tourists take photos at Jumeirah Beach near Burj Al Arab in Dubai.Pawan Singh / The National
“We realized that hospitality and tourism in general was too big to fail.
“The resilience of our industry is what will get it back on its feet, along with the cohesiveness of airlines, travel companies, travel agents, governments and hotels coming together to keep the industry going during very difficult times.”
GCC travel visa essential for growth
Connecting to 255 destinations in 104 countries and serving 90 international airlines, Dubai International Airport is at the heart of regional travel.
Cooperation between GCC countries through regional travel visas aims to make it easier for tourists to discover the Middle East.
With Bahrain already operating a new airport and exhibition center, and new airports planned for Riyadh and Dubai, ease of movement within the region is essential to delivering broader regional benefits from tourism and hospitality. is considered extremely important.
The GCC-wide travel visa is expected to come into effect by the end of the year or early 2025 and is a key element of the GCC's 2030 tourism strategy, which aims to increase visitor numbers to 128.7 million by 2030.
Last year, 39.8 million tourists flocked to the region, an increase of 136.6% from 2021.
Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Business and Tourism Development Authority, said: “When we see this region growing, we see a lot of potential.”
“One of the key sectors is tourism.
“Business travelers play a key role in contributing to this, creating many potential opportunities for business to come and settle in this part of the world.
Visitors walk the scenic route at Dubai's Arabian Travel Market.Victor Besa / The National
“The unified tourist visa will play an important role in streamlining and making it much easier for people to travel from one country to another.
“We have hotels, venues, airlines, airports and expansion facilities.
“So it makes sense to have more accessible destinations within the GCC countries, and I think that's really good for everyone.”
UAE aims to double visitor numbers
The UAE aims to double visitor numbers to 40 million by 2031, with tourism sector employment expected to rise to 833,000 in 2024 from 809,000 last year, experts say. It is expected that the number will increase.
The recent partnership in the cruise industry between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman is an example of cooperation that could extend to the wider region.
The Cruise Arabia Alliance, announced at the ITB Berlin travel trade fair, aims to facilitate multi-country holidays in the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia's ambition to attract 150 million tourists by 2030 could be strengthened by the development of a regional rail network that would provide similar services to the cruise industry, officials said. ing.
“The best indicator of future performance is rapid performance,” said Fahad Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority.
“Last year, we adopted a new travel visa for all GCC residents because we believe in safety measures and share a standardized information-sharing platform across governments.
“If we had a rail system that connects (regions), the situation would change dramatically.
“Railroads could be the point-to-point connection we need. It could be a cabin cruise, it could be a desert cruise.
“This is an opportunity to reimagine what a rail network that connects us with other cities in the Kingdom and stretches across the GCC can offer.
“If it’s not just a point-to-point travel connection, but a desert cruise, it’s not just the destination that matters, but the journey itself.”
Updated: May 7, 2024, 3:26 AM
