Hyperloop to help boost GCC tourism investment to $56 bln: Colliers

Investments in tourism infrastructure is expected to reach $56 billion by 2022 in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, driven by new transport projects such as the Hyperloop train systems, research firm Colliers International said in a recent report.

In Saudi Arabia, Haramain high-speed railway and development of key international airports will support investment growth, the report said.

The Kingdom also recently unveiled the "Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod" during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States.

According to Colliers, which is the research partner for the Arabian Travel Market 2018, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the most competitive edge in the region.

The UAE is also working on the Virgin Hyperloop One, a futuristic transportation concept through which pods, propelled by magnets and solar, will move passengers and cargo at speeds of 1,200 kilometer per hour.

In November 2016, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) announced plans to evaluate a hyperloop connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which could reduce travel times between the two emirates by 78 minutes.

Meanwhile, airport and cruise terminal expansions, improved domestic inter-city road and rail work and the growth of low-cost airlines will also help boost the GCC tourism infrastructure, the report said.

Colliers expects air passenger arrivals to the GCC to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3 percent, from 41 million in 2017 to 55 million in 2022.

The introduction of low-cost carriers, such as the recently launched Saudi low-cost airline Flyadeal, is also expected to contribute to this growth, the report said.

In Dubai, cruise tourism is expected to grow over the next two years as the emirate targets the arrival of 20 million tourists a year, ahead of Expo 2020, it added.