Muscat: The tenth meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tourism ministers have adopted Al Jabal Al Akhdar the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2027.
It also extended support to the Kingdom’s re-nomination for membership in the Executive Council of the United Nations Tourism Organization.
Resilience
A joint statement following the meeting on Thursday in Manama said that the ministers reviewed the latest developments in the Gulf tourism sector, emphasizing its high resilience and ability to recover from the effects of recent regional developments and adapt to the accompanying challenges, reflecting the strength of the Gulf tourism system and the efficiency of the tourism infrastructure and services in the GCC States.
They discussed the latest developments in the implementation of joint Gulf tourism initiatives and ways to enhance tourism integration, develop joint promotional and marketing efforts, support intra-GCC tourism, and raise the competitiveness of the Gulf tourism sector.
The ministers said that the Gulf tourism sector enjoys high resilience and a growing ability to face regional and international challenges and changes, based on diverse tourism assets, advanced infrastructure, quality investments, and an environment supportive of growth and sustainability.
They noted that current indicators reflect the continued attractiveness of the GCC countries to visitors from around the world, with positive expectations for continued growth in the coming years, supported by major tourism projects, international events, and increasing investments in the tourism, culture, entertainment, and sports sectors, in addition to expanding air connectivity and facilitating travel and mobility procedures.
The ministers stressed that the security and stability enjoyed by the GCC states, and their advanced legislative and regulatory frameworks and world-class infrastructure, constitute a solid foundation for enhancing the sustainability of tourism development and increasing the confidence of investors and visitors.
Joint Gulf tourism strategy
They also explained that the Gulf tourism system is based on an integrated network of airports, airlines, and advanced tourism facilities, in addition to hosting and organizing major international events, conferences, and activities, which enhances the sector’s readiness and ability to keep pace with various changes.
The ministers emphasized the importance of continued coordination and integration among tourism authorities in the GCC countries, in cooperation with the General Secretariat, to enhance the efficiency of joint efforts and solidify the GCC countries’ position on the global tourism map. They adopted a tourism sector recovery plan that includes a number of initiatives that will contribute to revitalizing the tourism sector in the GCC countries.
