GCC states approve tourism recovery plan, back Saudi UN Tourism candidacy

Tourism ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states convened in Manama on Thursday for their 10th ministerial meeting to discuss the future of the region's tourism sector. During the session, the ministers formally approved a comprehensive joint tourism recovery plan designed to restore momentum across the Gulf markets and enhance the region's collective appeal to international travelers.

In addition to the recovery initiatives, the council members pledged their full support for Saudi Arabia’s bid for re-election to the Executive Council of UN Tourism for the 2027–2031 term. The ministers emphasized that the regional tourism sector has demonstrated significant resilience in the face of recent geopolitical developments, citing the strength of existing infrastructure and the continued high demand from global visitors as key pillars for future growth.

The approved plan focuses on accelerating joint tourism projects and strengthening regional promotional efforts to boost intra-GCC travel. By aligning their marketing strategies and improving service standards across borders, the member states aim to solidify the Gulf as a unified and competitive destination in the global tourism market. The ministers concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to ongoing collaboration to ensure the long-term sustainability and expansion of the Gulf tourism ecosystem.