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Tourism Sector Research Highlights

The Report: Bahrain 2024
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Tourism Sector Analysis

Known for its long history in hospitality, Bahrain is expanding its tourism offerings, which include cultural, heritage, adventure and coastal attractions. Manama’s selection as the Gulf Tourism Capital...

The Report: Saudi Arabia 2024
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Tourism & Culture Sector Analysis

Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry has transformed rapidly since the Kingdom began issuing tourist visas in 2019. As part of its Vision 2030 plan, the government is investing heavily to make the country...

Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA)

In this Global Platform video, Oxford Business Group speaks with Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) about Sharjah’s strategies...

Report: How can the private sector capitalise on opportunities in the Saudi leisure industry?

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of sweeping social transformation and economic diversification underpinned by Vision 2030. This is creating a fertile environment for private businesses to expand...

Tourism Sector Analyses

Overview

Bahrain leverages cultural heritage to boost tourism
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With a long history as a centre for hotels and hospitality in the Gulf region, Bahrain is embarking on a journey to propel its tourism sector forwards. This move comes on the back of solid growth over the last several years, despite the severe setback to the global travel and leisure industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Amid ongoing global economic uncertainty exacerbated by recent conflicts, this expansion unfolds, signalling Bahrain’s resilience and determination to forge ahead in the tourism arena...

Interview

Site development: Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism
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On leveraging the kingdom’s cultural heritage to attract visitors

Analysis

Regional cooperation to boost Bahrain's tourism sector
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Bahrain’s Tourism Strategy 2022-26 aims to diversify the country’s economic portfolio and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP. Key targets of the strategy include attracting 14.1m tourists by 2026 and increasing average visitor expenditure and length of stay. The plan focuses on facilitating entry, developing tourist attractions, marketing and promoting tourism, and improving accommodation standards and lodging options. The strategy also emphasises the importance of national tourism projects and highlights the role...

Interview

Welcoming atmosphere: Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA)
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On improving the visitor experience

Analysis

Digital innovation contributes to resurgence in global travel
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The global tourism sector is gradually recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the UN Tourism’s World Tourism Barometer published in September 2024, international tourism reached 98% of pre-pandemic levels during the first nine months of that year, with an estimated 1.1bn international arrivals. This revival has been underpinned by the release of pent-up demand, increased air connectivity and a resurgence, especially in Asian markets and destinations. These factors indicate a strong rebound, leading...

The Report: Indonesia 2024
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Tourism Sector Analysis

Indonesia presents substantial potential as a tourist destination due to its diverse natural landscapes, including beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, majestic mountains and expansive seas.

How firms are leveraging entertainment opportunities in Saudi Arabia
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Driven by the country’s Vision 2030 blueprint for economic diversification, Saudi Arabia's leisure industry is expanding. Multi-stakeholder efforts have led to rapid growth in the sector in recent...

Tourism in Emerging Markets

Economic View

Michael Michael, CEO, Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) and Qatar Business Events Corporation

On catering to local and global audiences with new technologies and safety measures

Economic News

The growth trajectory of religious tourism in key markets
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With many emerging markets diversifying their tourism offerings, faith-based tourism is set to become a key segment for a number of markets worldwide. An estimated 330m people travel for religious reasons each year, according to the UN Word Tourism Organisation, forming a significant market for countries with attractions of spiritual or sacred value. These trips include pilgrimages as well as sightseeing trips to important historical and religious sites throughout the year. Additionally, a 2017 study reported that some...

Economic News

The innovations that could revitalise tourism in emerging markets
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As emerging markets develop new attractions and tap into new visitor source markets, they are leveraging technology and sustainable development in line with emissions targets. Following sharp declines in 2020, international tourism figures rebounded in 2021 and were on track to reach approximately 65% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022. Notably, in September arrivals in the Middle East and the Caribbean surpassed 2019 levels by 3% and 1%, respectively...

Growth And Recovery Video

Report: The role of sustainability in post-pandemic tourism diversification in the Bahamas

Small island nations like the Bahamas that rely heavily on tourism revenue have experienced particular challenges when it comes to their post-pandemic recovery. However, development strategies based on sustainable approaches – including green, blue and orange economy initiatives – have the potential to generate reliable sources of revenue and value addition in the years ahead. Tourism will continue to be the Bahamas’ leading economic sector, but with support from international financial institutions and banks...

Economic News

How can the tourism industry achieve net zero?
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The global tourism industry – which accounted for 10% of GDP yet 8% of global emissions in 2019 – is faced with the challenge of ensuring continued growth while at the same time working towards net-zero emissions goals. Several stakeholders in emerging markets and further afield offer useful case studies to understand what a decarbonised future for the industry could look like. A report published in November last year by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme...

Growth And Recovery Video

Video: How is Peru’s tourism agenda bolstering the sector's resurgence?

Explore how Peru is leveraging its tourism sector's development as a growth driver for the rest of the economy. Our new Growth & Recovery video, produced in partnership with the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (Promperu), analyses the emergence of new drivers of growth and investment within Peru’s tourism sector. Attracted by a business-friendly regulatory environment, regional and international investors have increased investments into the sector and are pursuing new high-growth areas...

Economic News

Can border reopenings revive tourism in South-east Asia?
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After 18 months of travel restrictions, a number of countries in South-east Asia have begun opening their borders to foreign visitors to stoke recovery in their respective tourism industries. In late September Thailand announced a four-phase plan to reopen the country by prioritising key tourist destinations. As of November 1 quarantine requirements will no longer apply to vaccinated travellers from 10 low-risk countries – among them China, Germany, Singapore, the UK and the US – while various different parts of the country will...

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