Dubai's Reverse Tourism Boom: GCC Visitors Drive Business Growth
Dubai's tourism scene is booming, thanks to a surge in 'reverse tourism' from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. GCC visitors are flocking to Dubai for quick getaways, giving a significant boost to local businesses.
The GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, are driving this trend. In the first half of 2025, Dubai welcomed over 700,000 Saudi visitors and around 350,000 Kuwaiti visitors. These numbers are expected to grow further with the launch of the unified GCC tourist visa later this year. This visa will allow travelers to visit all six GCC countries for 30 to 90 days, making Dubai an easier sell for GCC neighbors.
To capitalize on this trend, local businesses are advised to create GCC-friendly packages, go digital with targeted marketing, and partner up with regional businesses. Industry reports predict that this could bring an additional 22 million visitors to the region by 2030, adding $26 billion in spending. Dubai's hotels have already seen occupancy rates hit 80.6% in early 2025, with revenue per room climbing 7% to AED 471.
Dubai's tourism strategy aims for 25 million annual visitors, and businesses can play a significant role in achieving this goal by adapting to the reverse tourism trend. With GCC visitors' proximity leading to more frequent visits and bigger spending, the potential for growth is substantial. As the unified GCC tourist visa comes into effect, businesses are encouraged to prepare for an influx of GCC visitors, ready to make the most of this opportunity.
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