Sharjah: The number of hotel establishments across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries exceeded 11,200 in 2024, marking a 1.3 percent increase from the previous year, according to data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat). The total number of hotel rooms reached approximately 711,500, posting a 0.2 percent rise compared with the previous year.

According to Emirates News Agency, GCC-Stat highlighted that these figures demonstrate a continued expansion in tourism infrastructure across the region. This growth is attributed to major hotel projects and the development of tourism facilities, which bolster the competitiveness of the Gulf tourism sector. The expansion is expected to enhance the region's ability to attract more tourists and investment in the coming years.

The 'Tourism Trends in the GCC Countries 2024' report by GCC-Stat pointed out robust growth in the Gulf tourism sector, indicating the sector's recovery. This growth reinforces tourism's role as one of the vital economic sectors supporting economic diversification in GCC countries. The report revealed that international tourist arrivals in the GCC reached around 72.2 million in 2024, reflecting a 51.5 percent increase compared with 2019 and a 6.1 percent rise from 2023.

Additionally, international tourism revenues in the GCC countries climbed to approximately $120.2 billion, posting growth of 39.6 percent compared to 2019 and 8.9 percent compared to 2023. This increase underscores the growing global appeal of Gulf destinations.

Moreover, intra-GCC tourism accounted for about 41.3 percent of the total international tourists, demonstrating a growth of 61.2 percent compared to 2019 and a 1.2 percent rise from 2023. This trend highlights the significance of regional tourism integration and mobility in supporting the sector.