meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

GCC becomes a top tourist destination

28 March 2024

 

This report on hotel investment also includes: Region heads for hotel boom

The GCC’s pulling power as a tourist destination was reinforced in early March when Dubai-based developer Emaar announced that Dubai Mall was the most visited place on earth in 2023, with 105 million visitors – a jump of over 19% from the 88 million recorded in 2022.

The developer also revealed that the performance has continued into 2024, with 20 million people visiting the mall during the first two months of this year.

Dubai Mall’s performance is just one facet of Dubai’s resurgent tourism industry. After a difficult year in 2020, the emirate has bounced back as a tourism destination and is now welcoming more visitors than it did before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In 2023, Dubai welcomed more tourists than ever before. There were 17.15 million international overnight visitors, according to data published by the emirate’s Department of Economy & Tourism. The total represents 19.4% growth when compared to the 14.36 million tourist arrivals recorded in 2022. 

The 2023 total also exceeded the previous record of 16.73 million visitors that was registered in 2019.

The performance has continued into 2024. Dubai welcomed 1.77 million international tourists in January 2024, an increase of 21% compared to the 1.47 million visitors recorded in the same period of 2023.

Dubai Mall was the most visited place on earth in 2023, with 105 million visitors

Saudi tourism growth

While full-year data for most other GCC markets has yet to be reported, one other GCC country that has recorded strong numbers for 2023 is Saudi Arabia. 

The kingdom welcomed more than 100 million tourists last year, achieving its 2030 goal seven years early. The 2023 total comprised 77 million domestic and 27 million international visitors, generating revenues of $27bn for the kingdom. 

Saudi tourism numbers cross 100 million

Riyadh wants more growth and aims to emulate Dubai by developing ambitious projects that are designed to be global attractions in the future. The target now is to increase tourist numbers to the kingdom to 150 million by the year 2030, with a split of 80 million domestic and 70 million international tourists.

Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 100 million tourists last year, achieving its 2030 goal seven years early

Regional travel

Digging deeper into the data for Dubai reveals an interesting trend. Western Europe ranked first in terms of source markets for international tourists with a share of over 18%, or 327,000 visitors. This was closely followed by the GCC countries with 311,000 visitors, representing nearly 18%.

Intra-GCC tourism has been identified by policy makers as a key driver for future growth in the region. The logic is simple: the six-country block is home to 60 million people with many wealthy frequent travellers. 

The importance of GCC travellers is evidenced by statistics from GlobalData, which show that Saudi Arabia was the largest source market for travellers visiting the six GCC states in 2023, with a total of 6.3 million travellers. 

Oman and Kuwait were also in the top 10, accounting for 2.3 million travellers each. 

The GCC is also promoting travel within the region by implementing a unified tourist visa for the six countries. The concept was discussed, along with the Gulf Tourism Strategy, at the eighth meeting of GCC tourism ministers in Doha earlier this year.

The GCC tourist visa is expected to significantly improve the Gulf states’ standing as a tourist destination by making travel within the region easier for visitors from outside. 

The visa, which is expected to operate in a  similar way to the EU’s Schengen Visa, will allow tourists to visit GCC countries on a single visa. 

The move to make travel within the region more frictionless should enhance the performance of the GCC’s tourism sector in the future.

 Region heads for hotel boom 

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11640340/main.gif
Colin Foreman

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Uncertainty increases for Shell’s $3.9bn gas project in Iraq

    11 June 2026

     

    Uncertainty is increasing for phase two of the Basra Gas Company (BGC) expansion project in Iraq amid fallout from the ongoing regional conflict that started when the US and Israel bombed Iran on 28 February.

    BGC is a joint venture of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil through its subsidiary South Gas Company (51%), London-headquartered Shell (44%) and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation (5%).

    In September last year, the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed a $500m investment deal with BGC for the phase two project.

    The entire phase two project is estimated to be worth $3.9bn, according to the IFC, which says the money will be spent between 2025 and 2030.

    Of the $500m deal that was signed in September, $300m will be provided directly by the IFC, and this was approved by the IFC’s board on 14 January this year, less than two months before the US and Israel attacked Iran.

    The subsequent conflict and the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have created major obstacles for the project, according to industry sources.

    One source said: “Many Western workers that were specialists in the oil and gas sector have now left the country due to security concerns.

    “On top of this, it was originally assumed that required equipment for the project could be brought in through the Strait of Hormuz and that operational cash flows could be relied upon to help fund the project.”

    Due to the major disruption to shipping crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq has had to dramatically reduce oil production in the Basra region, and, as a result, associated gas production has declined as well.

    One source said: “Right now, the state-owned oil companies in Iraq are in the midst of a financial crisis and it is unlikely that they will be able to contribute to this project in the way that was originally envisioned.”

    The main focus of the BGC phase two expansion project is a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refrigeration train to increase the overall capacity of the upstream facility, where LPG and condensate are obtained through processing of the associated natural gas.

    The scope of the project also includes the construction of a new 22-kilometre-long, 132kV overhead transmission line, which will help to meet the energy demand associated with the project.

    READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17178691/main.png
    Wil Crisp
  • PIF to work with Egypt’s TMG on Saudi real estate schemes

    11 June 2026

    Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Egyptian real estate conglomerate Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration on mixed-use real estate projects across PIF-owned developments in Saudi Arabia.

    The non-binding agreement covers potential cooperation across the residential, commercial, hospitality and retail sectors, as well as integrated urban environments. PIF said the partnership would accelerate project delivery and value creation across its portfolio.

    TMG, which has nearly 55 years of experience developing large-scale integrated cities, communities and hospitality projects across Egypt, brings technical and managerial capacity to the collaboration. The company previously signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) in early 2024 to develop more than 27,000 residential units at the Banan City project in Riyadh’s Al-Fursan suburb.

    The MoU also establishes a framework to attract additional investors to future project phases and is intended to expand private sector participation as investors, partners and suppliers.

    PIF said the agreement forms part of its broader strategy to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and develop its urban development and livability ecosystem – one of six strategic ecosystems under its 2026-30 strategy. That ecosystem spans housing, retail, office and community spaces and essential services.

    The MoU is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent and receipt of all necessary regulatory and internal approvals.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17181887/main.png
    Colin Foreman
  • Egypt signs $420m Gabal El-Zeit wind agreements

    10 June 2026

    Egypt has signed agreements worth $420m for the investment, operation and power purchase of the 580MW Gabal El-Zeit wind power complex in the Red Sea region.

    Gabal El-Zeit 1 has a capacity of 240MW, while Gabal El-Zeit 2 and 3 have capacities of 220MW and 120MW, respectively.

    The agreements were signed between Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and Dubai-based Alcazar Energy.

    Under the agreements, Alcazar Energy will invest in, operate and manage the farms through a project company established under Egyptian law.

    The company will be responsible for technical operations, maintenance and efficiency upgrades while maintaining a minimum capacity of 580MW throughout the contract period.

    The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company will purchase the electricity generated by the plant.

    The agreements follow earlier efforts to privatise the Gabal El-Zeit wind complex, involving a deal with UK-headquartered private equity firm Actis.

    According to the Egyptian government, the project supports the country’s state ownership policy and national energy strategy, which aim to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix to 45%.

    The Gabal El-Zeit area on Egypt’s Red Sea coast is one of the country’s most established wind power development zones. The latest Gabal El-Zeit wind farm was completed in 2014, according to MEED Projects data. Germany’s Siemens Gamesa was the main contractor. 

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17170360/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Majid Al-Futtaim awards $545m Ghaf Woods contract to ECC

    10 June 2026

    Majid Al-Futtaim Properties has appointed Engineering Contracting Company (ECC) as the main contractor for the Capria East, Capria West and Maravelle Residences developments at its Ghaf Woods community in Dubai, in a deal valued at AED2bn ($545m).

    The contract covers the construction of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplex residences across the two Capria clusters.

    The award adds to a series of major construction contracts Majid Al-Futtaim has issued across its Dubai communities in recent years.

    In May, local contractor Al-Sahel Contracting was awarded a AED700m contract for the Distrikt development, also at Ghaf Woods.

    In 2024, Majid Al-Futtaim awarded AED3bn in contracts for its Tilal Al-Ghaf community, appointing Innovo Build to build 94 waterfront villas at Elysian Mansions and United Engineering Construction (Unec) to deliver 130 villas at the Alaya development.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17170744/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • Saudi Arabia and Turkiye sign railway agreements

    10 June 2026

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the railway and logistics sectors, advancing Riyadh’s ambitions to become a global logistics hub.

    Transport and Logistics Services Minister Saleh Al-Jasser and Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu signed the agreements at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on 9 June, following ministerial talks held with a high-level Turkish delegation. Transport General Authority president Fawaz Al-Sahli and officials from the kingdom’s transport and logistics sector were also present.

    Agreement scope

    The first MoU covers logistics services and operations, including the exchange of expertise, policies and regulations. The second focuses on railway technologies, signalling and communication systems, railway digitalisation, human capacity development, the localisation of the railway industry and measures to reduce the sector’s environmental impact.

    More broadly, the agreements cover cooperation on railway standards and related innovations, the exchange of expertise on the design, operation and maintenance of rail projects, and engineering, infrastructure and safety standards.

    The two sides will also cooperate on research and development, with provision for joint workforce training through specialist railway academies.

    Riyadh said the agreements will help support its National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services and Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to position the kingdom as a logistics bridge connecting three continents.

    Turkish projects

    Turkish contractors have already established themselves as key players in the region’s rail sector. In 2012, Yapi Merkezi secured a $2.1bn contract for work on the Haramain high-speed rail network in Saudi Arabia, while Turkish firms Mapa and Limak are leading the ongoing civil works on Dubai’s $5.5bn Metro Blue Line project as part of a China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) consortium. Turkish consultancy Proyapi Muhendislik ve Musavirlik Anonim Sirketi has also won design contracts for the 111km Kuwait National Rail Road project.

    The agreements signed by Saudi Arabia and Turkiye may also give momentum to longstanding discussions around a rail corridor linking the GCC with Turkiye. The route, which has been discussed for years, has gained renewed impetus in recent months as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed regional governments to accelerate the development of overland trade alternatives.

    READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17169958/main.gif
    Colin Foreman