Tourism revenue losses across the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries could reach as high as US$32 billion due to the US-Israeli war with Iran, the agency’s secretary-general has warned.
In comments picked up by the UAE’s state-run news agency Wam, Jasem Albudaiwi said the level of tourism inflow to the GCC countries could fall by between 8 and 19 million tourists, resulting in revenue loss of anywhere between US$13 billion and US$32 billion.
The six GCC countries are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
In an overnight report, local media outlet Arabian Gulf Business Insights said the group of countries welcomed more than 72 million tourists combined in 2024, generating revenues of almost US$120 billion.
