Dubai: Nationals of 33 countries do not need to apply for visas prior to entering the Gulf countries – a process spearheaded by the UAE, that was later implemented by others.
Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, said his government is pushing to liberalise tourism visas. “Soon, we will announce new visa packages for travellers to the kingdom,” he said.
However, a Schengen-type common GCC visa could help the region’s inbound tourism to grow faster, they say.
Dubai last year introduced a common GCC visa for cruise tourists only. Experts hope this will be replicated for other tourism sectors as well.
Gaith Al Gaith, Chief Executive of flyDubai, said Dubai’s example should be followed elsewhere. “Of course, it is going to help the tourism industry a great deal.
“Our immigration department in Dubai is the most efficient, They are currently giving people visas to enter the UAE, if those travellers hold an entry permit to any of the GCC countries – this is helping more people to come to the UAE – who are travelling to other GCC countries,” he said.
He said, the number of countries whose nationals are exempted from prior visa application and approval, should be increased from 33 to a higher number.
“As a low-cost airline, we are adding a lot of underserved destinations where travellers still need visas to travel to this part of the world – and that’s a hindrance,” Gaith said.
However, majority of the world population still need visas to travel to the Gulf.
“More than 70 per cent of the world population still needs visas to travel to the Gulf,” Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO, said.
Omar Kaddouri, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rotana said, “A common GCC visa will definitely help the region’s overall tourism industry and we definitely want this to happen sooner than later.”
