VisitBritain has welcomed a relaxation of UK visa rules for visitors from the Gulf region.
Emirati, Omani and Qatari passport holders will be able to obtain a free electronic visa waiver to travel to the UK from January 1 instead of needing to apply for a visit visa.
Those eligible will be able to travel to the UK after completing and printing a short online form, 48 hours before travel. A similar arrangement will be extended to Kuwait later in 2014.
The change follows increases in tourists and business visitors from the region in the past year, with a 29% rise in visitor visas issued to nationals from the Middle East.
Arrivals from the UAE have gone up by 43% in the year to September to 38,192; Qatar by 39% to 26,789; Oman by 32% to 10,403 and Kuwait by 40% to 82,147.
VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: “Britain is a popular destination for residents of the Gulf States. Last year saw a record 37% increase in the value of Gulf residents’ spending in Britain – that’s also a record average of £3,555 per visitor.
“We know there is already a huge aspiration to travel to Britain to shop and to enjoy our attractions and events, so we’re delighted that the recent visa changes will make it easier to get here, and to come more often.
“If current trends continue, we are set to see another record year for Arab visitors in 2013.”