Common tourist visa studied

A common GCC tourist visa is being explored and Oman is willing to discuss the matter with the member states, according Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi, Oman's Tourism Undersecretary.

Talking to the Gulf News yesterday, Al Balushi said that a committee was formed on the recommendation of GCC Interior Ministers to explore the possibility of common GCC tourist visa.

"As I understand, the committee has been asked to submit a report to explore the need for a common GCC tourist visa and how to go about it," he said.

"Each country would have their own priorities, procedures but at the same time there is no reason why this (visa) cannot be unified," he added. "It (a common GCC tourist visa) may take time but if it has to be done, we are ready to discuss it," Al Balushi said.

He pointed out that Oman already has a pact with Dubai for cross-border tourism. "We will soon sign similar agreement with the other emirates in the UAE," he said. Oman also has a common tourist visa agreement with Qatar since July.

He added that like common GCC currency and monetary union, the common tourist visa for the GCC states was a possibility."

Al Balushi said that Oman would soon add more countries to already over 60 nations, whose citizens can seek visas on arrival at the country's entry points.

"To support tourism and hotel industry in the country, further relaxation in visa regulations is coming," he assured. At the same time he stressed that visa was the only issue. "It is an issue," he agreed, but added that there were so many other factors involved in boosting the tourism.