The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to launch a unified tourist visa by the end of the year, allowing visitors to explore all six member countries on a single visa. This move is expected to boost ‘bleisure’ travel, a combination of business and leisure, as visitors will have the opportunity to extend their trips and explore neighbouring countries. With more attractions and easier visa processes in place, the GCC countries are attracting new tourists and business travellers, leading to growth in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector.
Rikant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip.com, believes that the unified GCC tourist visa will significantly boost ‘bleisure’ travel from India to the UAE and the wider region. He noted a trend where travellers from India are extending their stays in the Emirates to explore multiple destinations and make the most of their trips. The Arabian travel industry is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and a focus on sustainable travel. Collaborations and initiatives aimed at enhancing travel experiences and promoting responsible tourism are being explored.
Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, highlighted the increase in ‘bleisure’ travel as guests choose to extend their business trips in the UAE to explore more of the region. With a variety of accommodation options available, including serviced apartments and five-star hotels, Rotana is catering to diverse travel needs and capitalizing on market trends. As the region enhances its tourism offerings through investments, strategies, and visa procedures, more travellers are visiting multiple countries per trip, making the region more accessible and appealing.
Vincent Miccolis also noted a growing demand for flexible accommodation and travel among both business and leisure travellers in the GCC. Long-term stays are on the rise, with a significant increase in bookings across regional properties in cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Al Khobar, and Doha. The GCC’s growing business and leisure offerings have made it a prime destination for long-term stays, with families increasingly seeking spacious accommodations and engaging entertainment options during holiday periods and school breaks.
Overall, the introduction of the unified GCC tourist visa is expected to drive growth in the ‘bleisure’ travel sector, as visitors from India and other countries take advantage of the opportunity to explore multiple destinations on a single visa. With the region becoming more accessible and appealing to travellers, the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector is poised for continued expansion. Collaboration and innovation in the industry will play a key role in enhancing travel experiences and promoting responsible tourism practices in the GCC region.
