GCC Unveils Unified "Grand Tours" Visa to Boost Regional Tourism Mobility

The GCC "Grand Tours" unified visa has been unveiled for Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. This move aims to attract 128 million visitors by 2030 by simplifying multi-country itineraries for global tourists.

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and the UAE’s goal of 40 million hotel guests are driving massive infrastructure spend. A pilot program for single-point travel formalities between Bahrain and the UAE is scheduled for December 2025 to streamline cross-border tourism. This initiative is expected to increase visitor lengths of stay and boost the regional hospitality sector as the GCC rivals traditional global tourism giants.