Unified GCC Visa Gains Momentum With Rising Gulf Air Travel

The unified tourist visa being developed by the Gulf Cooperation Council has made substantial headway after four years of cooperation among member states. Dr. Emad Manshi, President of the Saudi Tourism Association, described the initiative as a complex, multi-layered process involving legal, political, security, and technical components.

He compared the Gulf’s progress with the European Schengen system and pointed out that while Schengen took around ten years from concept to implementation, the Gulf’s version is moving at a faster pace. 

He clarified that the Gulf countries had not prioritized tourism when the Schengen Agreement was first introduced in 1985, with the notable exception of Dubai, which began shaping its tourism strategy around 1995. Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia followed in subsequent years as the tourism sector started gaining more regional importance.

Manshi also shared data on regional air travel and revealed that four major Gulf carriers collectively transported over 150 million passengers in one year. Of these, 70 million were domestic to the region, while 80 million were international transit travelers. He believes future growth is likely as more countries in the Gulf expand their tourism offerings and destinations.

Air travel remains the dominant mode of entry for tourists visiting the region. Manshi said that over 99% of international arrivals come by air due to the absence of tourism-generating countries to the north and south of the Gulf.

Low-cost carriers have also helped shape the sector’s growth. Manshi noted that Gulf countries are supported by both full-service airlines and affordable alternatives like Air Arabia in the UAE and Flynas in Saudi Arabia. These carriers operate on international routes and have made regional travel more accessible.

He added that airport readiness and cross-border air networks are central to the unified visa’s success. The integration of these systems plays a direct role in making the visa practical and appealing to travelers.

In conclusion, Manshi said that leadership from the Gulf states has empowered ministries responsible for tourism, justice, interior affairs, and foreign relations to push the project forward. He emphasized that the visa will serve as a major tool for attracting visitors and promoting closer cooperation between GCC countries.