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RIYADH: Visitor spending in Gulf Cooperation Council nations is projected to reach $223.7 billion by 2034, driven by economic diversification, mega-projects, infrastructure upgrades, and relaxed visa policies, new data showed. 

According to the GCC Statistical Center, as reported by Emirates News Agency – WAM, inbound visitor spending is expected to contribute 13.4 percent to the region’s total exports — underscoring tourism’s growing role in Gulf economies seeking to reduce dependence on oil.  

This comes as GCC countries, led by ������Ƶ, ramp up efforts to diversify their economies by investing in tourism. Central to Saudi Vision 2030 is a goal to raise tourism’s share of gross domestic product from 3 to 10 percent and attract 150 million annual visits, with mega-projects like NEOM spearheading the shift.

The WAM report stated: “The centre also indicated that GCC countries are achieving steady progress in many tourism-related indicators.” 

It added: “The data demonstrate that total international visitor spending in GCC countries amounted to $135.5 billion in 2023, with a 28.9 percent increase compared to the figures recorded in 2019.” 

GCC countries also lead the Middle East and North Africa region in safety and security, outperforming the regional average of 5.86 points on a scale of 1 to 7. 

Additionally, all six Gulf states rank among the top Arab nations in terms of passport power, reinforcing their global travel competitiveness. The findings underscored the GCC’s growing appeal as a premier tourism and business destination. 

This tourism boom aligns with broader economic diversification plans as oil-reliant nations shift their focus toward hospitality, entertainment, and business travel. Additionally, more flexible visa policies and improved infrastructure — such as modern airports and strong safety standards — are helping the region gradually become more attractive to international tourists, offering an alternative to traditional destinations like Europe and Asia. 

The GCC’s geographic advantage as a bridge between East and West, coupled with investments in aviation, has turned the region into a global transit and tourism hotspot. 

All GCC nations are collectively transforming into a global tourism powerhouse, each leveraging unique strengths under ambitious national strategies. 

According to a report by consultancy firm Roland Berger, ������Ƶ leads with Vision 2030, combining religious pilgrimage with giga-projects like NEOM. 

The UAE counters with its Tourism Strategy 2031, doubling down on its established formula of luxury experiences and cultural fusion, aiming for 40 million hotel guests.  

Qatar, building on its World Cup, is refining its urban tourism appeal, while Oman bets on natural beauty to attract 11 million annual visitors.  

Even smaller players like Bahrain and Kuwait are making strategic moves — Bahrain by leveraging Formula 1 to boost leisure tourism and Kuwait through investments in entertainment infrastructure. 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office condemned the United States’ attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities on Sunday, warning of the possibility of a wider war in the Middle East as it called for an immediate end to the conflict. 

The development took place hours after the US military struck three sites in Iran early Sunday, joining Israel’s war aimed at destroying the country’s nuclear program. US President Donald Trump warned Iran against carrying out retaliatory attacks, saying Washington could hit more targets “with precision, speed and skill.”

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed that attacks took place on its Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but it insisted that its work will not be stopped.

“Pakistan condemns the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel,” the foreign office said. “We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.”

Pakistan said the American attacks violate all norms of international law, adding that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter. 

“The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran is deeply disturbing,” the foreign office warned. “Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.”

Pakistan highlighted the need to respect civilian lives and properties and immediately bring the conflict to an end. It called on all parties to adhere to international law, particularly International Humanitarian Law. 

"Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region," it concluded.

‘DOUBLE STANDARDS’

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar criticized the international community for its “double standards” concerning Israel’s military aggression against Iran, calling for a peaceful resolution to Tehran’s nuclear program dispute in an earlier statement. 

Dar was speaking at a special session convened at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul. 

Pakistan has consistently called on the international community to rein in Israel, especially since it launched military operations in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, that have killed over 55,000 people there. 

“Excellencies, double standards are on full display when it comes to Israel,” Dar said during a televised session at the special OIC meeting.

“There is no talk of the rule of law, the rules-based international order or consequences for illegal actions. This impunity must end.”

Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, told OIC member states that Israel’s action against Iran is part of a “dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism” that it has demonstrated across the Middle East.

“Israeli aggression represents a dangerous escalation, and is a serious threat to peace and stability, not only of the region, but of the wider world as well,” he noted. 

The Iran-Israel conflict began on June 13 when Tel Aviv targeted Iran’s military leadership and nuclear facilities through air strikes, saying the country was close to developing an atomic weapon. 

Iran denied the allegations, saying its civil nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has since then retaliated with missile attacks. 

Ten days of continuous conflict between the Middle East foes have killed at least 400 people in Iran and injured 3,000, according to Iran’s health ministry, while the death toll in Israel from Iran’s retaliatory strikes remains at 24.