Schengen-style GCC Unified Tourist Visa covering 6 Gulf nations approved, to roll out soon: Report
Abu Dhabi: The long-anticipated GCC unified tourist visa has reportedly been approved and will be rolled out shortly. It will allow foreign tourists to visit all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council — the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait — under a single entry permit, in a move reminiscent of the Schengen visa system in Europe.
“The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon. Now, it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it,” Khaleej Times quoted Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, as saying.
The idea of a unified GCC tourist visa, also referred to as the "GCC Grand Tours Visa”, has been under discussion for few years, aimed at enhancing regional tourism by simplifying travel procedures. Once implemented, it will allow travellers to visit all six Gulf countries under a single visa, removing the current requirement of applying separately for each destination, despite the countries being well-connected by air and road.
Data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf, and cited by Khaleej Times, shows the region attracted 68.1 million visitors in 2023, generating a record-breaking $110.4 billion in tourism revenue. This marks a 42.8 percent increase in tourist arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Industry experts reportedly believe that the unified GCC tourist visa will be a game-changer for the regional tourism sector and the broader economy. They anticipate significant benefits, including increased job creation, enhanced gross domestic product (GDP), and a rise in "bleisure" travel — a growing trend where business travellers extend their trips to explore neighbouring destinations for leisure.
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Deputy CM Shivakumar announces property ownership drive in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced a major property ownership drive here aimed at correcting and regularising property records, saying the government had already rectified 23 lakh Khatas and enabled citizens to download their documents online.
Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said the state government had begun converting B-Khatas into A-Khatas and would organise special Khata camps every Saturday across corporation limits from May 16 to help citizens secure their property documents.
A Khata is a legal document in Bengaluru certifying that a property complies with all local by-laws, regulations and has paid property taxes to the civic body.
“We have already corrected 23 lakh khatas and provided an opportunity for people to download them,” he said.
Shivakumar explained that the major campaign has been undertaken in Bengaluru to streamline property documentation.
The Deputy Chief Minister said between five and 10 centres would be set up in every corporation area as part of the “Khata Andolana” programme and urged citizens to participate in large numbers.
“I appeal to people to safeguard their property documents. We have created an opportunity for all citizens,” he said.
Calling it a "people-centric" initiative, Shivakumar said the government was working to ensure citizens received proper ownership documentation for their properties.
Shivakumar further claimed that the initiative had drawn national attention and said the Union government had recognised Karnataka with an award for the programme.
“Your Khata is your right. Obtain your Khata and protect yourself from fraud,” he said, while urging people to take advantage of the scheme.
