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The GCC Statistical Centre has reported that the direct and indirect economic value of tourism across the six member states reached $254.7 billion in 2025.[[1]](https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-9/27/gcc-statistical-centre-us2547-billion-total-economic-value-of-tourism-in-the-gcc-45-million-jobs-linked-to-sector) This figure reflects sustained expansion in the sector that has seen its contribution grow at an average annual rate of 7.3 percent since 2019, outstripping the global average of 6.7 percent. The centre’s data further shows that the bloc welcomed 75.7 million tourists last year with inbound visitor spending totaling $131.9 billion.
According to the same report from the GCC Statistical Centre, the tourism sector supported approximately 4.5 million jobs in the GCC, forming a significant part of regional employment. This compares with 371 million tourism-related jobs worldwide. The centre noted that the sector’s contributions to GDP and employment stand at competitive levels relative to global benchmarks.
The GCC Statistical Centre assessment found that progress toward the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2022-2030 had reached an average of 73.8 percent by the end of 2025. This advancement stems from increases in visitor numbers, spending, GDP contribution and direct employment. The strategy’s targets for 2030 include inbound spending of $188 billion and domestic spending of $49 billion.
Inbound tourist expenditure stood at $131.9 billion in 2025, achieving 70.2 percent of the 2030 goal while recording 9.7 percent growth from the previous year, the GCC Statistical Centre figures show. Domestic tourist spending hit $42.9 billion, or 87.6 percent of its target, after expanding 6.2 percent year-on-year. Direct travel and tourism GDP reached $101.7 billion, representing 69.8 percent of the $145.8 billion 2030 target.
Intisar Al Wahaibi, director general of the GCC Statistical Centre, stated that tourism was experiencing sustained growth across the GCC and had become a central component of national development plans and strategies. She added that reliable tourism statistics are essential for measuring the sector’s economic contribution, tracking its development and supporting policy, investment and development decisions. The workshop where the data was presented brought together officials and specialists from across the region to enhance cooperation on tourism statistics.
A related analysis aligned with the centre’s findings projects the sector’s contribution to climb further by 2035 with potential for additional job creation of around 1.3 million positions in the coming decade. The GCC Statistical Centre data places the region’s share at 5 percent of international tourist movements and 6.9 percent of global tourism receipts in 2025. These metrics underscore the bloc’s rising prominence in the worldwide tourism landscape.
