BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA, 4 MAY 2023:
In the most significant development at the Arabian Travel Mart 2023 held in Dubai, the tourism minister of Bahrain has announced that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries are mulling a proposal for introducing single visa for tourists and business purposes.
Speaking at the Arabin Travel Mart in Dubai, Fatima al- Shairafi, the tourism minister of Bahrain said that at present the members of Gulf Cooperation Council- which includes – United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait are milling a proposal to allow a single entry visa for its members countries like the Schengen countries in Europe.
“ We are working on how it can be done but surely it will benefit all the gulf cooperation council countries by boosting the economy,”said Fatima al- Shairafi.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin informed that the future travellers wish to visit multiple countries with one single entry VISA, rather than only one countrty.
“ The next generation travellers will prefer multiole destinations, routes, activities and regions,”he said.
Undersecretary of Economy of United Arab Emirates, Abdullah Al Saleh said that whole gulf region will benefit from having umbrella regulations, policies and procedures to facilitate growth.
“ All the members of the GCC belives that the travellers who are coming from long distances will benefit of travelling multiple countries without restrictions in the cross borders and will have unified tour package.
Talking to the www.thetravelandtourismtimes.com, Mr. Anil Punjabi, Chairman ( East), Travel Agents Federation of India and Director of Ar-Es Travels said that India is one of the biggest international resource market for Dubai tourism. In recent times Indian travel agencies have been preferring to sell multiple cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat in the middle east for the leisure travellers like they used to sell Bangkok, Singapore, Kulalumpur.
“ If this new Visa policy is being introduced by the Gulf Cooperation Council this will act as game changer in the coming days and will give huge boost to the tourism in the Gulf Countries. We travel agents are really excited with this news and welcome the proposal of the GCC to have one single entry VISA for tourists and business travellers to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain. These days all these countries have come ahead and have been agresively marketing their tourism. The FIFA World Cup in Qatar has also acted as abig boost and all these countries also have world class airlines , all of which are well connected to Indian cities which further gives big boost to their tourism,” says Anil Punjabi.
The 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market will take place in Dubai on 1 – 4 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Incredible India has also participated in this ATM in Dubai.
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