June 2, 2025 | Industry Insights               

At the heart of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) economic diversification goal lies a cultural shift coinciding with an increased economic focus on the tourism sector. As the region moves away from economies built on oil, it fully embraces its diverse natural landscapes and local heritage, ushering in a new era of cultural revitalization and economic diversification. Several government initiatives have underpinned this transformation, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Vision 2030 and the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision. Such initiatives serve to cement the GCC as a leading region in the global tourism space (Destinations of the World News, 2024).

 

A Growing Industry…

            The tourism industry in the GCC has recently witnessed tremendous growth. In 2023, the number of international tourists visiting the GCC reached 68.1 million, generating $110.4 billion in tourism revenues. This figure marks 52.9% progress toward the GCC’s joint tourism strategy target of 128.7 million visitors by 2030 (Finance Middle East, 2025). In 2024, the KSA witnessed a record-breaking growth within the tourism sector, including a 9.5% year-on-year increase in international visitors, totalling 30 million international travelers (Al Arabia, 2025). However, as the GCC tourism sector soars to great new heights, so does the demand for expert talent. The tourism sector relies upon the talent that underlies it—the frontline staff, leaders, and specialists who shape every guest experience and drive the industry forward. Consequently, HR and workforce development are critical elements in ensuring national tourism visions are materialized.

 

… Demands a Growing Workforce

            Between 2022 and 2023, the tourism sector added $223.4 billion to the GCC’s GDP, marking a 29.4% increase from the previous year. It also generated 1.5 million jobs—a 17% rise compared to 2020—underscoring the industry’s growing impact on both economic output and employment. Today, these numbers only continue to rise, as the tourism sector demands higher employment in such diverse sectors as entertainment, hospitality, transport, retail, and event management (One Arabia, 2025).
            In that light,  there is a growing demand for professionals who bring a blend of multilingualism, cultural awareness, and exceptional customer service skills. Additionally, there is a high demand for individuals with skills and educational backgrounds focused on sustainability, as the eco-tourism sector gains momentum in the GCC. Such individuals would allow for meaningful engagement with local communities and safeguarding natural landscapes and resources.

HR Solutions to Support the Tourism Surge

The GCC’s tourism sector is growing fast—and success hinges on having the right talent in the right roles. At Fisher, we partner with tourism and hospitality leaders to strengthen every stage of the workforce journey. Through our Workforce Needs Analysis service, we assess the current and future needs of your hospitality business, ensuring you are adequately prepared to not only grow but to thrive. Moreover, through our Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), we empower you to find the right talent when you need it—whether it’s high season or project-based expansion. Finally, through our Leadership Development services, we enable managers to grow into confident, capable leaders through customized development programs focused on performance, culture, and guest experience.   The future of tourism is being built today. Let’s make sure your workforce is ready for it.     References:
Abueish, T. (2025, April 10). Saudi Arabia to showcase record tourism growth at Arabian Travel Market 2025. Al Arabiya English. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2025/04/10/saudi-arabia-to-showcase-record-tourism-growth-at-arabian-travel-market-2025 DOTW News. (2025, February 12). Major growth revealed for GCC tourism in 2024. https://www.dotwnews.com/focus/major-growth-revealed-for-gcc-tourism-in-2024 Finance Middle East. (2025, February 3). GCC countries drew 68.1 million tourists in 2023, generated $110.4 billion in revenue: GCC-Stat. https://www.financemiddleeast.com/news/gcc-countries-drew-68-1-million-tourists-in-2023-generated-110-4-billion-in-revenue-gcc-stat/ One Arabia. (2025, February 17). GCC tourism statistics 2023: International visitors, economic contribution & job creation. OneArabia. https://www.onearabia.me/local/gcc-tourism-statistics-2023-international-visitors-011-99109