The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) nations – the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait – have always enjoyed synergistic partnerships and friendships that have empowered the Gulf region as whole. Most recently, the consortium announced the Grand Tours Visa, a unified visa that will allow foreign applicants multiple entry access to all countries for up to 30 days.
This is similar to the Schengen visa in Europe, which allows entry to various countries so visitors from across the globe have the convenience of applying and paying for a single visa and planning travels that span across borders.
The Gulf Grand Tours visa will be available by the end of the year. It is the culmination of many decades of efforts of all GCC member nations to diversify their economies, with particular focus to growing their tourism sectors.
Countries and cities in the GCC have grown to become top tier destinations, not only for leisure travel but also business pursuits. The region has established itself as a gateway between the East and West, hosting conferences and industry events that attract leaders from across the globe. This growth has been the direct result of leaders’ commitment to diversify economic interests outside of oil and create sustainable sources of revenue for a secure future.
Increasingly, over the past few years, especially given GCC nations’ efficient responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been heightened interest from foreign investors. The GCC has found itself now, more than ever, in the spotlight from various standpoints. But that should not be taken for granted; efforts in maintaining that standing and elevating it further should continue.
We cannot doubt that the region has grown steadily, owing to wise, consistent leadership. The contributions of citizens and residents, who are more educated and engaged than ever before, have been considerable as well. The regional tourism landscape has evolved quickly, and a unified visa will undoubtedly open new avenues for growth and cross-country collaboration.
Operators within the tourism industries of member countries now have the chance to work together to plan and package deals for visitors to encourage a broader, more enriching experience. There are also opportunities to innovate within the sector and create specialised tours targeting various demographics of travellers so they can visit a number of destinations and get a taste of the diversity and unity that are hallmarks of the Gulf region.
The unified visa comes during a time when we are rebuilding our economies following a challenging few years, and is a much-needed catalyst for various established businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs to think out of the box and see how they can create new opportunities, grow existing revenue streams, find new ones and rethink their networks to collaborate more efficiently.
The Gulf Grand Tours visa represents the power of friendly relations and mutually beneficial economic ties with allies – these are important lessons from history that have enhanced security and stability within the region, and serve as a benchmark for nations across the globe.
We must remain optimistic about the benefits the region will enjoy as a result of the unified visa, and there truly is not a better time than now for public and private sector organisations across the region to start planning. Synergy is vital, not just between the member states, but within the public and private sector entities operating in each member state.
It is also important, I believe, that organisations engage with residents as well as travellers – the target audience – and ask them to share their suggestions for how they want the tourist offerings in the Gulf region to evolve in this exciting new phase. To continuously enhance the tourist experience, we must consistently seek input and hear their needs and thoughts on gaps that need to be filled.
We must also see a renewed commitment from educational institutions to inform students about the growing tourist sectors, potentially engaging with businesses so they can grow interest by offering workshops, internships and apprenticeships to our bright young minds. The GCC’s youth is the future and we must empower them so they can meet their potential and contribute towards an economically prosperous and more secure future.
The Gulf Grand Tours will have great potential to increase tourism. We must continue to keep our eye on the prize and never lose sight of the hard work, allyship and collaboration that brought us to this point in the first place. Holding on to the core elements that have contributed towards growth thus far, and building on them for the future will undoubtedly bring forth the economic progress and stability the member nations want to continue to see in the region.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Picture of Joumblatt and Hariri breaking bread sets Twitter alight
Mr Joumblatt’s pessimism regarding the Lebanese political situation didn’t stop him from enjoying a cheerful dinner on Tuesday with several politicians including Mr Hariri.
Caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury tweeted a picture of the group sitting around a table at a discrete fish restaurant in Beirut’s upscale Sodeco area.
Mr Joumblatt told The National that the fish served at Kelly’s Fish lounge had been very good.
“They really enjoyed their time”, remembers the restaurant owner. “Mr Hariri was taking selfies with everybody”.
Mr Hariri and Mr Joumblatt often have dinner together to discuss recent political developments.
Mr Joumblatt was a close ally of Mr Hariri’s assassinated father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The pair were leading figures in the political grouping against the 15-year Syrian occupation of Lebanon that ended after mass protests in 2005 in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s murder. After the younger Hariri took over his father’s mantle in 2004, the relationship with Mr Joumblatt endured.
However, the pair have not always been so close. In the run-up to the election last year, Messrs Hariri and Joumblatt went months without speaking over an argument regarding the new proportional electoral law to be used for the first time. Mr Joumblatt worried that a proportional system, which Mr Hariri backed, would see the influence of his small sect diminished.
With so much of Lebanese politics agreed in late-night meetings behind closed doors, the media and pundits put significant weight on how regularly, where and with who senior politicians meet.
In the picture, alongside Messrs Khoury and Hariri were Mr Joumbatt and his wife Nora, PSP politician Wael Abou Faour and Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon Nazih el Nagari.
The picture of the dinner led to a flurry of excitement on Twitter that it signified an imminent government formation. “God willing, white smoke will rise soon and Walid Beik [a nickname for Walid Joumblatt] will accept to give up the minister of industry”, one user replied to the tweet. “Blessings to you…We would like you to form a cabinet”, wrote another.
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether these wishes come true.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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