The highly anticipated GCC Grand Tours Visa is scheduled to enter its pilot phase in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a report by the UAE’s Al-Ittihad newspaper, published on July 21, 2025.
In an exclusive interview, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri referred to the Unified GCC Visa as a major milestone in enhancing tourism collaboration among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. He stressed that the initiative will position the Gulf region as a more unified and attractive destination for international travelers.
Minister Abdullah confirmed that the pilot phase of the Unified GCC Visa will be introduced before a full-scale rollout.
Emphasizing the sector’s economic importance, he noted that tourism contributes 13% to the UAE’s GDP and is projected to grow to 17% in the coming years.
This growth is evident in tourism data: hotel guest numbers rose by 9.5%, from 28.08 million in 2023 to 30.75 million in 2024. The number is expected to reach 33 million in 2025, with a 7% increase in hotel revenue.
Tourism investment has also surged—from AED 28.8 billion in 2023 to AED 32.2 billion in 2024—and is projected to hit AED 35.2 billion in 2025.
