Tourism
From The Report: Bahrain 2023
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Bahrain is implementing a long-term strategy to transform its tourism sector into a major engine of growth under Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, the kingdom’s blueprint for economic diversification. The country is seeking to leverage its location at a continental crossroads and its unique position as the region’s sole island nation to bolster the sector. The kingdom identified tourism development as key element of the Economic Recovery Plan launched in 2021 to guide its recovery from the economic slowdown brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to boost the number of tourists, as well as increase daily spending and overall time spent in the country, Bahrain is making targeted efforts to diversify and promote its tourism offerings – both to better serve visitors from the Gulf, and to attract and engage tourists from further afield.

This chapter contains an interview with Fatima Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Unique proposition: Island developments, new projects and diversification efforts promise to transform the tourism landscape
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Bahrain is implementing a long-term strategy to transform its tourism sector into a major engine of growth under Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, the kingdom’s blueprint for economic diversification. The country is seeking to leverage its location at a continental crossroads and its unique position as the region’s sole island nation to bolster the sector. The kingdom identified tourism development as key element of the Economic Recovery Plan launched in 2021 to guide its recovery from the economic…

Analysis

Promising signs: Bahrain is strengthening its capacity to welcome international visitors and positioning itself as a destination for events
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Despite being one of the smallest countries in Asia, Bahrain distinguishes itself by combining its strategic location and vibrant cultural heritage with progressive infrastructure and facilities for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment. The tourism strategy serves as a cornerstone for the four-year Economic Recovery Plan (ERP), which aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and drive a comprehensive and sustainable recovery. In line with the ERP,…

Interview

Growth mindset: Fatima Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, on how tourism objectives can be achieved through public-private collaboration
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Interview:Fatima Jaafar Al Sairafi Where do you identify the main priorities of the 2022-26 tourism strategy? FATIMA JAAFAR AL SAIRAFI: The new tourism strategy forms part of the national Economic Recovery Plan following the Covid-19 pandemic. The strategy was developed by the government as a roadmap to enhance a sector that has significant potential to diversify revenue streams and contribute to the national economy. The latest tourism strategy is an expansion of the 2016-19 strategy, which…

Analysis

Cross-border connections: Gulf countries develop strategic partnerships to promote the region as a leading international travel destination
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In 2022 the Middle East witnessed the sharpest relative increase in international arrivals of any region in the world, solidifying its rebound from the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic and further raising its profile as an increasingly attractive destination for inbound tourism. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in 2022 international arrivals in the Middle East recovered to 83% of the levels prior to the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, outperforming all other regions. Road to…

Analysis

Seek the faith: Faith-based tourism is set to become a key segment for a number of markets worldwide
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As many as 330m people travel for religious reasons each year, according to a UN World Tourism Organisation estimate from December 2014, 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 2018 report by IGI Global stated that it is assumed that some 25% of travellers are interested in this form of tourism. Global revenue…

Analysis

Unlocking opportunities: Emerging markets leverage advanced technology to ensure sustainable growth of the tourism sector
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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. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travel demand is expected to generate 126m employment opportunities worldwide by 2032, with more than 60% of these jobs in the Asia-Pacific region. The lifting of travel restrictions in China and Japan announced at the end of 2022 will likely fuel an increase in activity…