Doha: The total number of hotel establishments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries exceeded 11,200 in 2024, marking a growth of 1.3 percent compared to 2023. The number of hotel rooms reached approximately 711,500, representing a 0.2 percent increase.

According to Qatar News Agency, data from the GCC Statistical Center highlights that these figures demonstrate the ongoing expansion of the tourism infrastructure within the GCC countries. This expansion is bolstered by significant hotel projects and the enhancement of tourism facilities, which collectively augment the competitiveness of the Gulf tourism sector. The sector's potential to attract an increasing number of tourists and investments in future years is thereby strengthened.

The 2024 GCC Tourism Trends report underscores the robust growth indicators achieved by the Gulf tourism sector, showcasing its recovery and solidifying its status as a crucial economic sector contributing to economic diversification in the GCC region.

The report further reveals that the total number of international tourists visiting the GCC countries reached around 72.2 million in 2024. This figure indicates a growth of 51.5 percent compared to 2019 and an increase of 6.1 percent compared to 2023.

In terms of financial impact, international tourism revenues in the GCC countries rose to approximately USD 120.2 billion, reflecting a growth of 39.6 percent compared to 2019 and an 8.9 percent increase from 2023. This growth underscores the rising appeal of Gulf destinations on the global tourism landscape.

Additionally, intra-GCC tourism accounted for approximately 41.3 percent of the total international tourists, showing a growth of 61.2 percent compared to 2019 and a 1.2 percent increase from 2023. This highlights the significance of tourism integration among the GCC countries and emphasizes the role of regional mobility in bolstering the tourism sector.