The GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council), which is all set to strengthen efforts to target Indian and Chinese inbound tourists, should issue multi-entry visas similar to the Schengen visa issued by the European nations, according to Colliers International.
Already key markets for the region, China counts an average of 122mn outbound tourists annually and India contributes 22mn, with overseas spending calculated to be $252bn and $15.4bn respectively in 2015, said a Colliers International report unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market.
Making a total of 12 recommendations concerning visas, accommodation, cultural sensitivities and marketing, the report suggests GCC-wide multi-entry visas with similar principles to the Schengen area, hotel welcome kits and signage in guests’ native languages, promotion of cultural celebrations and festivals from each country, and targeted loyalty programmes.
“The GCC is home to a number of globally-recognised tourist attractions and continues to draw visitors from all over the world as a result ... The growth seen from China and India has driven tourist arrivals across the region over the near past and we have seen this reflected in our recent guest profiles,” Debrah Dhugga, managing director, Dukes London and Dukes Dubai, said.
Highlighting that the trend is largely proliferated by increasing levels of personal wealth and a demand for experiential travel, he said China is home to 1.4mn high net worth individuals (HNWIs), with 146mn working class nationals, representing 19% of the working population, and 90mn urban blue collar workers. Counted together, they represent almost 29% of the population and are the most likely to travel.
India, meanwhile, is home to 433,000 HNWIs, with 59mn considered urban middle and educated urban and 97mn counted as urban blue collar workers. Together, they represent almost 31% of the population that is eligible and likely to travel.
“The growing middle class and cheaper flight options are transforming the outbound travel landscape for these two countries, with a combined 146mn passport holders,” said Filippo Sona, director, head of Hotels Middle East and North Africa region), Colliers 
International.
“Digital technology is a disrupter that didn’t exist 20 years ago. Ten years from now, there could be a different way in which people experience hospitality,” said Azeez Narain, associate vice president, Taj Hotels, Resorts, Palaces, Safaris, Indian Hotels Company.
Colliers International assessed the compatibility of key GCC destinations with four traveller types: corporate, MICE attendees, leisure first-timers and experienced leisure travellers, for both Indian and 
Chinese visitors.
In Qatar, Indian visitors enjoyed a higher compatibility across all four visitor types, with the country now the second largest source market after Saudi Arabia. Numbers are expected to grow in line with the launch of several high-profile sport and leisure attractions over the coming years.
For Chinese visitors, initiatives such as the Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture helped boost the profile of Arab states in domestic Chinese markets, with arrivals to Doha from Asia and Oceania totalling 342,976 in the first half of last year.