The Untapped Potential of Ecotourism in the GCC

Ecotourism is a growing segment of global tourism that focuses on connecting travelers with natural environments and local cultures while promoting education, sustainability and conservation. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (“UNWTO”), ecotourism provides meaningful experiences that emphasize the appreciation of nature and heritage. With traveler preferences shifting toward sustainability and authentic experiences, the global ecotourism market is heading for significant growth. Forecasts indicate it will surpass $900 billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (“CAGR”) of 14% from 2024.

Several Factors Contribute to Ecotourism Growth:

Changing Traveler Behavior: A 2025 Booking.com survey found that more than 84% of travelers believe that traveling more sustainably is important while 77% of travelers seek authentic experiences that represent local cultures.
Growing Popularity of Protected Areas: A global study published in PLOS Biology4 revealed that national parks and nature reserves attract eight billion visits annually, highlighting the rising appeal of nature-based tourism.
Rising Sustainability Awareness: A growing awareness of environmental challenges has motivated travelers to support tourism that benefits conservation and local communities.

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