Arrivals from the UK to the GCC will increase 22 percent over the period 2018 to 2024, driven by new and direct flight routes, competitive air fares and a growing number of leisure travellers, according to new research.
The figures, released ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2020, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre in April, shows as many as 2.8 million UK residents will travel to the GCC in 2024, an additional 500,000 travellers when compared to 2018 arrival figures.
According to research carried out by Colliers International, UK tourists travelling to the GCC are expected to generate an estimated $6.3 billion in travel and tourism revenue by 2024, an increase of 34 percent compared to 2018.
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Historically, the UK and the GCC have enjoyed excellent travel and tourism links and this trend is set to continue over the next four years despite the economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the bleak pound to dollar exchange rate, in which sterling has declined 18.9 percent since June 19, 2015.
“However, the UAE is expected to continue to be the preferred GCC destination for British tourists, welcoming a projected 2.23mvisitors by 2023. Saudi Arabia will follow with 251,000 visitors, while Oman will welcome 165,000, Bahrain 159,000 and Kuwait 5,000.”
The report said total tourism spend in the GCC reached $70.2bn last year, with UK travellers’ average spend during trips to the region, 27 percent higher than the average spend of any other visitor.
In 2018 Bahrain witnessed the highest average spend per visit at $3,298. Saudi Arabia followed with an average UK tourist spend per trip reaching $2,047, very closely followed by the UAE at $2,020 and Kuwait and Oman reaching $1,077 and $945 respectively.
“The UK, as a consistent and key top source market for the GCC, continues to present significant growth potential for travel and tourism revenue across the region. In return the GCC, UAE and Dubai in particular, besides being a commercial hub, offers year-round sunshine, unique travel experiences, world-class hotels and resorts and fast-paced leisure facilities and amenities,” added Curtis.
She said ATM 2020 will welcome an array of UK exhibitors to the show, with names such as Visit Britain Shop, Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Chelsea FC, Lancaster Landmark Hotel Group, Blenheim Palace and Historic Royal Palaces, to name a few.
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