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Tourists planning to explore the enchanting landscapes and vibrant cultures of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are in for a treat – the member states have given the green light to a unified tourist visa.
This Schengen-like visa system, announced by the President of the current GCC session, Sayyed Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, during the 40th meeting of the Interior Ministers in Oman, paves the way for simplified travel across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
GCC Secretary General, Jassim Al Budaiwi, said that the system is anticipated to be operational between 2024-25, fostering a more integrated travel experience across the six nations.
Al Budaiwi emphasised that this decision is not merely administrative but reflects the commitment to strengthen communication and coordination among the GCC states. The unified Gulf tourist visa project is poised to streamline travel logistics, offering a seamless experience for both residents and tourists. This, in turn, is expected to have a positive impact on the economic and tourism sectors of the region.
A McKinsey study released Thursday showed, globetrotters from India are set to soar, given the relative economic prosperity and a growing propensity for international travel. “If India follows China’s outbound travel trajectory (which it could, due to similarity in population size and per capita income trajectory), then Indian tourists could make 80 to 90 million trips a year by 2040,” said the report.
“The unified Gulf tourist visa is a project that will contribute to facilitating and streamlining the movement of residents and tourists between the six GCC countries and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the economic and tourist sectors,” Al Budaiwi said.In addition to the unified tourist visa, the GCC countries have also approved the electronic linking of traffic offenses between states. Furthermore, a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal drugs is in the works, aiming to contribute significantly to the fight against this societal challenge.
As the GCC nations come together to implement these initiatives, the region is poised to become an even more attractive destination for tourists, fostering greater collaboration and connectivity among the member states. The anticipation builds as the unified tourist visa is set to transform the travel landscape in the Gulf region in the coming years.
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