Global Investment Summit: $27.66 Billion for GCC Tourism and Digital Infrastructure by 2030
Source: Al Roya (الرؤية)
The story in brief
Total investments in the tourism and digital infrastructure sectors across GCC countries are projected to increase from $15.85 billion in 2023 to $27.66 billion by 2030, marking an 75% growth. Tourism investments are expected to reach $9.3 billion by 2030, up from $6.4 billion in 2023, driven by expanding tourist destinations and hospitality facilities. Digital infrastructure investments will surge by over 94% to $18.36 billion by 2030, from $9.45 billion in 2023, fueled by demand for data centers, cloud services, and AI applications. The Global Investment Summit, scheduled for September 1-2, 2026, in Paris, aims to attract these investments and foster new partnerships.
Detailed summary
Figures from the Global Investment Summit, set to be held in Paris on September 1-2, 2026, reveal that total investments in the tourism and digital infrastructure sectors within GCC countries are anticipated to rise from $15.85 billion in 2023 to $27.66 billion by 2030. This represents an increase of $11.81 billion, or approximately 75% growth.
Data indicates that investments in the tourism sector are projected to grow from $6.4 billion in 2023 to $9.3 billion by 2030, an increase of $2.9 billion and a growth rate exceeding 45%. This surge is attributed to the expansion of tourist destinations, increased investments in hospitality and entertainment facilities, and the diversification of tourism products in Gulf markets. The anticipated growth in this sector is linked to the GCC's development of new tourism destinations and projects, enhancement of hospitality capacity, and improved air connectivity. The growing role of events, exhibitions, conferences, and cultural and entertainment activities in attracting visitors and boosting demand for tourism services also plays a significant part.
Digital infrastructure investments are expected to climb from $9.45 billion in 2023 to $18.36 billion by 2030, an increase of $8.91 billion and a growth rate exceeding 94%, making it the fastest-growing sector during this period. This growth reflects accelerating demand for data centers, cloud services, communication networks, and digital solutions, alongside the expansion of AI applications and digital transformation across government, financial, industrial, and tourism sectors. This necessitates a more capable and efficient digital infrastructure to accommodate the rapid growth in data and technical services.
The integration of tourism and digital infrastructure is opening additional investment avenues, with increasing reliance on digital platforms for reservation management, visitor experience, payments, smart services, and data analysis. The development of technical infrastructure contributes to supporting tourist destinations, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving the quality of services offered to visitors.
The summit aims to direct 25% of investments towards modern technologies and adopt Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in 55% of targeted projects. This will support the development of more efficient tourism destinations and a digital infrastructure capable of keeping pace with economic and technological transformations until 2030. Summit data also points to projected European investment flows of $28.59 billion into GCC countries, along with the development of 15 joint projects and the establishment of 8 strategic partnerships within the first year, paving the way for new collaborations in digital infrastructure, tourism projects, and related services.
The summit will host over 2,000 participants and 100 speakers across 10 main sessions, 16 workshops, and more than 40 bilateral meetings. This program is designed to connect investors with promising opportunities, foster international partnerships, and open new growth pathways in key investment sectors across the Gulf until 2030.
Background & context
This story sits within Oman's broader reform agenda and efforts to grow Tourism & Hospitality as a pillar of non-oil GDP. The region benefits from supportive energy prices, expansionary government budgets, and rising interest from sovereign wealth funds and foreign investors.
Key numbers & facts
- Total investments in the tourism and digital infrastructure sectors across GCC countries are projected to increase from $15.85 billion in 2023 to $27.66 billion by 2030, marking an 75% growth.
- Tourism investments are expected to reach $9.3 billion by 2030, up from $6.4 billion in 2023, driven by expanding tourist destinations and hospitality facilities.
- Digital infrastructure investments will surge by over 94% to $18.36 billion by 2030, from $9.45 billion in 2023, fueled by demand for data centers, cloud services, and AI applications.
- Figures from the Global Investment Summit, set to be held in Paris on September 1-2, 2026, reveal that total investments in the tourism and digital infrastructure sectors within GCC countries are anticipated to rise from $15.85 billion in 2023 to $27.66 billion by 2030.
- This represents an increase of $11.81 billion, or approximately 75% growth.
Key points
- Total investments in the tourism and digital infrastructure sectors across GCC countries are projected to increase from $15.85 billion in 2023 to $27.66 billion by 2030, marking an 75% growth.
- Tourism investments are expected to reach $9.3 billion by 2030, up from $6.4 billion in 2023, driven by expanding tourist destinations and hospitality facilities.
- Digital infrastructure investments will surge by over 94% to $18.36 billion by 2030, from $9.45 billion in 2023, fueled by demand for data centers, cloud services, and AI applications.
- The Global Investment Summit, scheduled for September 1-2, 2026, in Paris, aims to attract these investments and foster new partnerships.
Why this matters
This matters because activity in Tourism & Hospitality, Technology shapes capital flows, hiring and investor sentiment across Oman.
Economic & market impact
Potential impact: - Hotels, attractions and inbound travel operators may benefit or face headwinds. - Tech founders, VCs and digital platforms may see knock-on funding or adoption effects.
GCC angle
For the rest of the GCC, this is a signal on the pace of activity in Tourism & Hospitality, Technology. Capital flows and regulatory decisions in one Gulf state typically travel across borders given the similar economic structures and the coordination inside the GCC framework.
Risks & uncertainty
There is uncertainty around the read-through: projections can be moved by swings in oil prices, by US monetary policy tightening that most GCC central banks track via dollar pegs, and by regional geopolitical events. Headline numbers may also be revised when subsequent official data is published.
What happens next?
Watch for upcoming disclosures from listed names in Tourism & Hospitality, Technology, official macro releases for Oman, and any commentary from regulators or sovereign wealth funds. Tharwa will refresh this briefing as new public information becomes available.
Sources used
This is an original Tharwa briefing based on the available source material. Read the full article from the publisher.