Report Overview

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2032

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market size was estimated at USD 1.34 billion in 2025. During the forecast period between 2026 and 2032, GCC Sustainable Tourism Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.94% reaching a value of USD 4.01 billion by 2032. Prominent drivers of GCC Sustainable Tourism Market include substantial investments in the development and expansion of sustainable infrastructure facilities, the presence of various types of ecological tourist destination, luxury resorts, spas, fine dining establishments, and high-end retail outlets, along with strong government backing through strategic initiatives, policies, and incentives aimed at boosting sustainable tourism. Emerging travel trends such as cultural and heritage tourism and sleep tourism are gaining traction among tourists across the world, reflecting a growing preference for meaningful, restful, and culturally rich experiences, with a significant number of travelers, especially families, seeking destinations tied to childhood dreams and prioritizing wellness, including pampering, beachside relaxation, and improved sleep in boarding and lodging facilities. Furthermore, eco-conscious travel is becoming increasingly prominent, with a significant percentage of travelers actively seeking sustainable options. The major players in GCC Sustainable Tourism Market are also observing a shift towards digital, forward-planned travel, where online bookings are highly favored while personalized customer support remains valued.

Sustainable Tourism – Overview

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities." Sustainable tourism is ‘leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems’ (The United Nations World Tourism organization (UN Tourism), 1988). The ‘Earth Summit’ held in Rio, Brazil, established the three principles of sustainable tourism: environmental, economic, and social sustainability, in 1992. Sustainable tourism includes the niche tourism segments of adventure tourism, medical & wellness tourism, cruise, pilgrimage or spiritual travel, sports & film tourism, ecotourism, wildlife safaris, and caravan tourism. Tourism refers to the activities of people traveling for leisure, business, or other purposes for a limited duration. It encompasses a wide range of services and industries that support and enhance the tourism experience. The tourism sector plays a vital role in global and local economies by generating employment, fostering cultural exchange, and contributing significantly to GDP through both domestic and international spending.

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market                                         

Growth Drivers

High Focus on Economic Diversification and Sustainability

A surging number of travelers and tourists prefer destination that are balancing environmental responsibility with economic diversification. Focusing on eco-friendly travel, cultural preservation, and rural tourism development, the market players across GCC are positioning leading destinations for nature-based and culturally immersive experiences. Various destinations, such as Red Sea, NEOM, and Dubai, attract environmentally conscious travelers while safeguarding natural and cultural heritage. The governments’ supportive policies promote ecotourism and community engagement, reinforcing national goals for sustainability and economic growth. Financial support through public-private partnerships, eco-tourism investments, and conservation funding ensures the long-term viability of the sustainable tourism market, creating jobs and boosting the regional countries’ GDP growth. With a strong focus on innovations, digital transformation, and climate action, GCC leads in sustainable tourism. This comprehensive approach positions GCC countries to meet a spurring global demand for responsible travel while preserving its unique environmental and cultural assets for future generations. As nations continue to implement forward-thinking sustainable tourism strategies to elevate visitor experiences and boost the demand for adventure and environment-friendly tourism, GCC Sustainable Tourism Market is expected to continue to maintain its leadership position in global tourism market.

Challenges

Environmental Concerns

Environmental concerns could pose significant challenge to the growth of GCC Sustainable Tourism Market. Issues such as water pollution, high energy consumption, and waste management put pressure on the region’s fragile ecosystem. Rising temperatures driven by the climate change also affect tourist comfort and outdoor activities. Additionally, rapid urbanization and infrastructure development can lead to habitat loss and increased pollution, which may deter eco-conscious travelers. These factors compel the market players to adopt sustainable practices, but the environmental concerns remain a key barrier to achieving long-term, balanced growth in GCC Sustainable Tourism Market.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on GCC Sustainable Tourism Market

Escalating geopolitical tensions could significantly affect the growth of GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by creating uncertainties and losing traveler confidence. Heightened regional conflicts or diplomatic disputes may lead to travel advisories, flight cancellations, and stricter security measures, discouraging tourists and investors. Political, economic, trade, and tariff tensions could also disrupt international relations and trade partnerships crucial for the growth of sustainable tourism. Additionally, the perception of instability may shift traveler preferences to safer destinations, causing a decline in visitor numbers and revenue.

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market

Segmental Coverage

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market – By Tourism Type

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by tourism type is divided into Island Tourism, Coastal Tourism, and Mountain Tourism segments. The coastal tourism segment holds for largest market share of GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by tourism type, fueled by a significant rise in international tourists and their spending. This pivotal segment is forecast to continue to contribute a significant portion of revenues toward the overall market growth. The island tourism also holds a significant market share in GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by tourism type, primarily due to an increasing number of eco-conscious tourists. The mountain tourism segment, on the other hand, is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR.

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market – By Consumer Type

Based on consumer type, GCC Sustainable Tourism Market is divided into Solo Travelers, Couples, Families, and Groups segments. The families segment holds the largest market share of GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by consumer type. As family members are focusing on strengthening their family bonding in ecological destinations. The groups segment also holds a significant market share in GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by consumer type, primarily due to the group member’s growing interest in shared experiences. Solo travelers, particularly Millennials seeking adventure and ecotourism, are an rapidly expanding segment GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by consumer type. As tourists’ expectations evolve, the individual travelers remain key growth drivers for the market.

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market – By Age Group

On the basis of age group, GCC Sustainable Tourism Market is segmented into Millennials, Generation Z, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and Elderly Travelers. The millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996) or Generation Y (Gen Y) segment holds the largest market share of GCC Sustainable Tourism Market by age group. The Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) segment, on the other hand, is projected to grow at the significant CAGR during the period in analysis.

GCC Sustainable Tourism Market – By Country

Geographically, GCC Sustainable Tourism Market is divided into Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman. Saudi Arabia accounts for the major market share in GCC Sustainable Tourism Market. Its rising disposable incomes and growing ecological awareness drive the country’s market dominance. The nation’s broad rural base and increasing demand for tourism services further contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market. Additionally, the government’s support for medical and wellness tourism initiatives further accelerates the growth of sustainable tourism market across various demographics.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in GCC Sustainable Tourism Market include Diriyah Company, Dubai Holding / Jumeirah Group, Katara Hospitality, Majid Al Futtaim, Miral, NEOM (Saudi Arabia), Omran Group, Red Sea Global, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, and Six Senses. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Scope of the Report

By Tourism Type

• Mountain Tourism

• Island Tourism

• Coastal Tourism

By Consumer Type

• Solo Travelers

• Families

• Groups

By Age Group

• Millennials

• Generation Z

• Generation X

• Baby Boomers

• Elderly Travelers

By Country

• Saudi Arabia

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Qatar

• Kuwait

• Bahrain

• Oman

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Product Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3. GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Governments’ Initiatives & Infrastructure Development
         2. Strategic Location & Connectivity
         3. Diverse Tourism Offerings
      2. Restraints
         1. Environmental Challenges
         2. Balancing Development & Conservation
      3. Opportunities
         1. Cultural & Community-based Tourism
      4. Challenges
         1. Climate Change Impacts
         2. Security Concerns
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4. GCC Sustainable Tourism Market: Marketing Strategies
5. GCC Sustainable Tourism Market: Pricing Analysis
6. GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2032
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Tourism Type
         1. Mountain Tourism
         2. Island Tourism
         3. Coastal Tourism
      2. By Consumer Type
         1. Solo Travelers
         2. Couples
         3. Families
         4. Groups
      3. By Demographics
         1. Millennials
         2. Generation Z
         3. Generation X
         4. Baby Boomers
         5. Elderly Travelers
      4. By Country
         1. Saudi Arabia
         2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
         3. Qatar
         4. Kuwait
         5. Bahrain
         6. Oman
7. Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2032
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Tourism Type
      2. By Consumer Type
      3. By Demographics
8. United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2032
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Tourism Type
      2. By Consumer Type
      3. By Demographics
9. Qatar Sustainable Tourism Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2032
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Tourism Type
      2. By Consumer Type
      3. By Demographics
10. Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2032
       1. By Value (USD Million)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Tourism Type
       2. By Consumer Type
       3. By Demographics
11. Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2032
       1. By Value (USD Million)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Tourism Type
       2. By Consumer Type
       3. By Demographics
12. Oman Sustainable Tourism Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2032
       1. By Value (USD Million)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Tourism Type
       2. By Consumer Type
       3. By Demographics
13. Competitive Landscape
    1. List of Key Players and Their End Users
    2. GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Company Market Share Analysis, 2025
    3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
    4. Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships)
14. Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on GCC Sustainable Tourism Market
15. Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, SWOT Analysis)
    1. Diriyah Company
    2. Dubai Holding / Jumeirah Group
    3. Katara Hospitality
    4. Majid Al Futtaim
    5. Miral
    6. NEOM (Saudi Arabia)
    7. Omran Group
    8. Red Sea Global
    9. Rotana Hotel Management Corporation
    10. Six Senses
    11. Other Prominent Players
16. Key Strategic Recommendations
17. Research Methodology
    1. Qualitative Research
       1. Primary & Secondary Research
    2. Quantitative Research
    3. Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
       1. Secondary Research
       2. Primary Research
    4. Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents
    5. Assumption & Limitation

*Financial information of non-listed companies will be provided as per availability

**The segmentation and the companies are subjected to modifications based on in-depth secondary for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1    GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Segmentation

Figure 2    GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Value Chain Analysis

Figure 3    Company Market Share Analysis, 2024

Figure 4    GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2032

Figure 5    GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value (USD Billion) 2019–2032

Figure 6    GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value (USD Billion) 2019–2032

Figure 7    GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value (USD Billion) 2019–2032

Figure 8    GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Country, By Value (USD Billion) 2019–2032

Figure 9       Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032         

Figure 10     Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032 

Figure 11     Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Figure 12     Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032 

Figure 13     United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032       

Figure 14     United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032     

Figure 15     United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032     

Figure 16     Qatar Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032  

Figure 17     Qatar Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032         

Figure 18     Qatar Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Figure 19     Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032

Figure 20     Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032 

Figure 21     Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Figure 22     Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032

Figure 23     Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032 

Figure 24     Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Figure 25     Oman Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032 

Figure 26     Oman Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032         

Figure 27     Oman Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

List of Tables

Table 1      GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value (USD Billion) 2019–2032

Table 2      GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value (USD Billion) 2019–2032

Table 3      GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value (USD Billion) 2019–2032

Table 4        GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 5        GCC Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Country, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 6        Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032         

Table 7        Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032 

Table 8        Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 9        Saudi Arabia Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032 

Table 10      United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032       

Table 11      United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032     

Table 12      United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032     

Table 13      United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032     

Table 14      Qatar Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032

Table 15      Qatar Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 16      Qatar Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 17      United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 18      Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032

Table 19      Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032 

Table 20      Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 21      Kuwait Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 22      Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032

Table 23      Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032 

Table 24      Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 25      Bahrain Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 26      Oman Sustainable Tourism Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2032 

Table 27      Oman Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Tourism Type, By Value, 2019–2032         

Table 28      Oman Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Consumer Type, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 29      Oman Sustainable Tourism Market Share, By Demographics, By Value, 2019–2032

Table 30    Diriyah Company: Company Overview

Table 31    Diriyah Company Financial Overview

Table 32    Dubai Holding / Jumeirah Group Company Overview

Table 33    Dubai Holding / Jumeirah Group Financial Overview

Table 34    Katara Hospitality Company Overview

Table 35    Katara Hospitality Financial Overview

Table 36    Majid Al Futtaim Company Overview

Table 37    Majid Al Futtaim Financial Overview

Table 38    Miral Company Overview

Table 39    Miral Financial Overview

Table 40    NEOM Company Overview

Table 41    NEOM Financial Overview

Table 42    Omran Group Company Overview

Table 43    Omran Group Financial Overview

Table 44    Red Sea Global Company Overview

Table 45    Red Sea Global Financial Overview

Table 46    Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Company Overview

Table 47    Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Financial Overview

Table 48    Six Senses Company Overview

Table 49    Six Senses Financial Overview