At the eighth ministerial meeting of GCC Ministers of Tourism in Doha, GCC Secretary-General, Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, announced that relevant technical committees are actively engaged in determining the structure and characteristics of the unified tourist visa.
Headed by the Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, the Sultanate of Oman delegation participated in the meeting where al Budaiwi shared insights into the ongoing efforts. He stated, “Committees are studying the way the unified visa shall work in preparation for presenting it according to the systems and laws of all GCC countries.” The primary objective of the unified tourist visa is to attract foreign tourists to the GCC countries, streamlining travel and enhancing convenience for visitors.
The unified visa project aims to facilitate seamless movement between GCC countries, anticipating positive impacts on the tourism sector once implemented. Al Budaiwi emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, reflecting a joint commitment among GCC nations to promote tourism in the region.
In addition to the unified visa, the meeting addressed the activation of initiatives outlined in the Gulf Tourism Strategy, including the development of joint promotional packages between the GCC countries.
Shifting focus to Oman’s tourism landscape, the Sultanate recorded over four million visitor arrivals in 2023, with 2.1 million guests staying in three to five-star hotels. The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) highlighted that Indian nationals constituted a significant portion, with 610,000 visitors, ranking second after 1.6 million GCC nationals.
Other notable figures included 231,000 Germans, 150,000 Yemenis, and 118,000 Chinese nationals visiting Oman in 2023. Flight statistics indicated 92,931 departures and 81,987 arrivals from India in the same year.
Oman’s facilitative approach to tourism was underscored, with the provision of simplified e-visas for Indian nationals and visa-free entry for specific categories of Indian passport holders for up to 14 days. The ongoing developments in the unified tourist visa project align with broader regional efforts to enhance tourism collaboration and accessibility across the GCC countries.
