Muscat, October 25 (QNA) – Tourism across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states expanded in 2025, with tourist arrivals, revenues and hotel establishments increasing alongside advances in digital infrastructure, emerging technologies and online government services, strengthening the sector’s competitiveness and advancing smarter, more integrated and sustainable travel, according to the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat).

The center’s weekly bulletin on ‘Gulf tourism in the era of smart transformation’ reported 75.7 million tourist arrivals in 2025, up 4.9 percent from 2024. Tourism revenues climbed 9.7 percent to USD 131.9 billion, while travel between GCC nations reached 20.1 million tourists, up 3.6 percent.

Hotel establishments across the six GCC countries rose 4.8 percent year over year to 12,400 in 2025, reflecting an expanding operational base and greater capacity to accommodate demand, alongside more diverse lodging and visitor services.

The figures underscore tourism’s growing role in economic diversification, with the sector supporting transportation, aviation, hospitality, retail, entertainment and other services while stimulating investment, creating jobs and bolstering non-oil activities across Gulf economies.

The bulletin highlighted three key digital-readiness indicators shaping the future of Gulf tourism. Under the 2025 emerging technology adoption index, GCC states scored between 34 and 99 points, with three ranking among the world’s top 20.

GCC nations scored between 60 and 77 points on the 2025 mobile application development index, underscoring a digital foundation for innovative tourism apps that improve access to information and services and foster the visitor experience before, during and after a trip.

Scores on the 2025 online government services index ranged from 56 to 99 points, with three GCC countries ranking among the world’s top 25. Digital government services can streamline travel, accommodation and tourism procedures while improving service efficiency.

  The indicators underscore digital transformation’s criticality to Gulf tourism’s competitiveness. By leveraging data, artificial intelligence and digital applications to anticipate demand, figure out tourists’ needs and tailor services, GCC nations can improve destination management, use resources more efficiently, strengthen sustainability and raise visitor satisfaction.

The bulletin also underlined the importance of deeper digital integration among GCC countries through shared platforms linking bookings, transportation, events and tourism information.

Such platforms could make travel across the Gulf more seamless, encourage intra-GCC tourism and help capitalize on the region’s diverse natural, cultural, heritage and entertainment attractions. (QNA)