Unified Visas for Gulf Cooperation Council Would Supercharge Regional Tourism
Photo Credit: Raki Phillips (left) on stage at Skift Global Forum East 2023 Skift
Skift Take
Collaboration is the approach of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism chief, who is now focusing on boosting travel in the entire Gulf.
The upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council unified visa, which would ease crossing borders like in the Schengen Zone, is forecast to supercharge inter-regional travel in the Gulf states, according to Ras Al Khaimah's tourism boss.
Raki Phillips is CEO of the emirate's Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and is entrusted to boost travel and tourism in a once lesser-known emirate 45 minutes from Dubai. The northern emirate would be one of the biggest winners from the unified visa, and it has already begun collaborating with neighboring Oman to prompt travelers to explore the Gulf.
"This new Schengen-style visa is huge for [GCC] tourism and Ras Al Khaimah will see a huge benefit," said Phillips at the Skift Global Forum East 2023.
"There is nothing more important than a collaborative approach
