Gulf Cooperation Council countries are working to launch a unified tourist visa allowing holders to travel to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait with a single visa, representing a qualitative leap in enhancing Gulf integration.

The visa does not include all Persian Gulf countries, with Iraq and Iran not included in the upcoming visa owing to neither being GCC members. 

The initiative aims to simplify procedures and stimulate tourism movement between GCC countries, opening new horizons for tourists to explore the region more broadly and easily, Al-Bilad reported on July 13.

Bahrain focuses on achieving sustainable and diversified growth under its national tourism strategy, targeting 14.1mn visitors by 2026 whilst seeking to raise tourism's contribution to GDP from 7% to 11.4%.

The strategy involves developing multiple tourism sectors including marine tourism, MICE business tourism and conferences, sports tourism, cultural heritage, entertainment, media and cinema, and medical and health tourism.

The unified visa is expected to facilitate visitor entry to Bahrain as part of multi-country tours, increasing tourist numbers from new Asian and European markets whilst boosting tourism revenues through extended stays and increased spending.

Bahrain anticipates the unified visa will support diverse tourism sectors such as marine tourism, events, conferences and culture through enhanced seamless movement between GCC countries.

The initiative will raise effectiveness of national projects such as Hawar Islands resorts and Sakhir Exhibition Centre by attracting more visitors, whilst enhancing joint Gulf marketing that reduces costs and increases promotional campaign effectiveness.

Regional connectivity projects form the backbone for enhancing tourism integration between Gulf states, with Bahrain playing a strategic role through the Al-Mahaba Bridge linking Bahrain and Qatar over 40 kilometres with car lanes and railways.

The Gulf Railway project represents an advanced railway network extending over 2,177 kilometres, connecting GCC countries at speeds reaching 220 kilometres per hour, covering Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman.

The railway is expected to operate by 2030 to facilitate passenger and cargo movement across the region whilst enhancing domestic and Gulf tourism.

The year 2025 represents a turning point in Bahrain's tourism journey, combining ambitious national vision with major Gulf initiatives including the unified visa and regional connectivity projects.