Page 222 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

As part of its outreach to Africa, the UAE will also host the “UAE–Africa Tourism Investment
Summit” in October as part of the Future Hospitality Summit, aimed at deepening bilateral
partnerships across tourism, hospitality and aviation.
On Gulf tourism, Al Marri said the UAE welcomed 3.3 million visitors from GCC countries in 2024,
accounting for 11 per cent of total hotel guests. Saudi Arabia led with 1.9 million visitors (58 per
cent of GCC total), followed by Oman with 777,000 (24 per cent), Kuwait with 381,000 (12 per cent),
Bahrain with 123,000 (4 per cent) and Qatar with 93,000 (3 per cent).

He added that the upcoming unified GCC tourist visa represents a strategic step towards deeper
regional integration and will enhance the Gulf’s collective appeal as a single tourism destination. A
pilot launch is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025, ahead of full implementation at a later stage.

https://tradearabia.com/News/437043/UAE-issues-40%2c000-tourism%2c-hospitality%2c-
aviation-licences-until-September