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Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority set to position Bahrain as a Premier Global Tourist Destination

Manama declared as the 2024 GCC Tourism Capital.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) is set to announce a series of groundbreaking initiatives aimed at solidifying Bahrain’s position as a premier global tourist destination. The declaration follows Bahrain’s remarkable achievement in Manama being chosen as the capital of Gulf tourism for the year 2024 during the 7 th  meeting of the ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The prestigious designation of “Manama” as the capital of Gulf tourism for 2024 is a testament to Bahrain’s exceptional contributions to the growth of Gulf tourism sector. The Kingdom of Bahrain’s foresight in recognizing tourism’s potential as a vital sector capable of driving economic growth and ensuring sustainable development played a pivotal role in securing this honour. Bahrain is committed to nurturing a thriving and dynamically expanding tourism sector, with the aim of not only enhancing its reputation as a prominent hub for regional and international tourists but also fostering stronger tourism cooperation within the GCC region.

Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi , CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA)said, “ We take immense pride in this achievement in the Kingdom’s tourism sector, which stands as a testament to a series of successful tourism endeavors at local, regional, and international levels. The Kingdom has positioned the tourism sector at the forefront of its developmental agenda. This strategic position acknowledges the sector’s pivotal role in driving sustainable development. Under this vision, substantial investments have been channeled into expanding tourism infrastructure, refining tourism services, and establishing high-quality facilities. These endeavors are aimed at attracting a greater influx of tourists worldwide. ”

Dr. Qaedi  added, “ Collaborating closely with its public and private sector partners, BTEA persistently crafts success stories, aiming to fulfill the ambitious tourism goals outlined in the 2022-2026 strategy. This intensive effort has transformed Bahrain into a beacon of adaptability, diversity, and consistent tourism growth within a remarkably brief timeframe. This achievement was evident last year when the Kingdom welcomed approximately 10 million tourists, surpassing the targeted numbers by an impressive 20%. We assure our GCC visitors of an exceptional tourism year ahead. Anticipate the launch of several high-quality tourism initiatives and an array of exclusive travel packages tailored for GCC citizens and residents; these offerings are meticulously designed to attract a broader audience, enhancing tourism appeal across all sectors.”

The Kingdom of Bahrain has always been a gem of the Arabian Gulf, offering a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. With this recent recognition, Bahrain aims to draw the attention of tourists from around the world and to embark on a journey filled with unique experiences, warm hospitality, and unforgettable memories.

Theodore Koumelis

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

• Theodore Koumelis https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/theodore-koumelis/ Holland America Line begins pilot test of renewable fuels on its flagship, Rotterdam
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• Theodore Koumelis https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/theodore-koumelis/ AHLA workforce report: Hotels add 1,200 jobs in April

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Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi

In a tête-à-tête with Travel And Tour World, Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority enlightens readers with tourism opportunities the Kingdom of Bahrain has to offer. Dr. Ali also emphasises on his plans to uphold Bahrain as a global destination in the future years.

Travel And Tour World: Bahrain provides a wealth of opportunities for tourism. What is your expected footfall for 2023 tourism season? Which destinations/regions of the Kingdom of Bahrain do you want to promote to Indian tourists?

Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi: Bahrain as a destination has been increasingly growing in popularity among the Indian travellers in the recent years. With the current growth seen in inbound tourism, we are very positive that the footfall for 2023 will be very promising.

It is the hidden gem of the Middle East, and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after leisure destinations in the region. Each region in this country has something captivating and alluring to different types of travellers. The destination is an idyllic location for millennial travellers, solo/women travellers, senior citizens, honeymooners, couples, and families. With its year-round sunshine, stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and thriving culinary scene, the island offers an unforgettable experience for travellers seeking a unique vacation experience.

Travel And Tour World : Of late, the Kingdom has opened its largest ever exhibition and convention centre, the Exhibition World Bahrain. How many events do you have in the pipeline for the 2023 event calendar? What kind of events do you plan to host in this newly inaugurated venue?

Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi: The Kingdom of Bahrain had the official inauguration of the Exhibition World Bahrain in November 2022. The majestic exhibition centre which covers 95,000 square meters area was inaugurated on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and Prime Minister.

The centre’s large capacity allows sit to host various events and exhibitions simultaneously, making it an appealing place for local, regional, and international exhibitions. It has 10 halls, multiple exits and entrances, storage facilities, and a wide range of services.

This establishment is a milestone in the Kingdom’s economic development and will play a crucial role in positioning Bahrain as a major global destination for regional and global conventions.

There are many events and exhibitions that will be held in this centre in 2023 like Jewellery Arabia, GHEDEX – Global Higher Education Show, Scent Arabia, Cityscape Bahrain, Manama Health Conference and Expo and the Autumn fair etc.

Travel And Tour World : Which markets (countries) do you next focus on after the successful inauguration of this state-of-the-art meetings venue?

Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi: India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and has a large business sector, making it an important source market for MICE tourism. As travel and tourism has resumed in full-swing, Indian companies are increasingly organizing international business events, meetings, conferences, and exhibitions, creating a growing demand for MICE tourism.

We at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) have been actively promoting Bahrain’s MICE facilities and attractions to Indian travellers, highlighting the unique offerings that the country has to offer which make it the ideal MICE choice. The destination has invested heavily in developing its MICE infrastructure over the years. It has modern convention centres, exhibition halls, and hotels that can accommodate large and small events. Several airlines operate direct flights between India and Bahrain from various cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore etc. This makes it convenient for Indian MICE travellers to visit Bahrain for events, meetings, or conferences.

For MICE travellers, Bahrain is the perfect destination because of its variety of tourist attractions, which include historical monuments, museums, retail centres, beaches, and water sports. The country has also invested in developing eco-tourism. The variety of offerings available in Bahrain provides MICE travellers from India with a unique and exotic destination that they can explore during their free time.

  Travel And Tour World : Where do you wish to see Bahrain as a global destination in the next five years?

Dr. Nasser Ali Qaedi: Bahrain is set to become a global destination in the next five years. The destination’s tourism sector exceeded the targets last year set under its 2022-26 tourism strategy. Tourism revenues topped BD1.5 billion ($3.98 billion) in 2022, an increase of 50% compared to the target figure for the same year, which stood at BD1 billion.

According to the 2022 statistics, the number of visitors arriving for tourism purposes reached 9.9 million, up by 19% over the target number of 8.3 million visitors.

Inbound tourism in Bahrain has recovered during the year 2022 by 90% compared to pre-pandemic levels, outperforming the international recovery rate, which was estimated by the World Tourism Organization at a rate of 65%.

According to the country’s new 2022-2026 tourism strategy, Bahrain is expected to attract over 14 million tourists by 2026. The country is also committed to sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that our tourism industry benefits the local community as well as the environment.

As per what is planned in the tourism strategy 2022–2026, BTEA is undertaking several upcoming projects, mainly the Galali coast waterfront, Bahrain Bay beach, Alghous waterfront, Saada projects first phase, and Mantis Hotel and Resort in the Hawar Islands. Moreover, new hotels and resorts are in the pipeline with a total of 1,544 new rooms, which will certainly double the tourists’ traffic.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is one of the most successful investments in the Gulf and the world, being the world’s most-watched annual sport series and generating more than $2.5 billion in direct revenue since hosting the Formula One race till 2022. Hotels often run at 100% occupancy during Grand Prix week.

BTEA has been seeking to benefit from F1 week by organizing entertaining events such as bringing the world-renowned Imperial Russian Ballet (IRB) to the Grand Hall in Exhibition World Bahrain, Sakhir, stressing BTEA’s commitment to continue to attract the best entertainment and artistic shows from around the world to work towards achieving the kingdom’s tourism strategic objectives.

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This article also features in The Report: Bahrain 2023 . Read more about this report and view purchase options in our online store.

Bahrain promotes itself as an event destination

Bahrain | Tourism

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, Bahrain introduced a series of sector-specific initiatives for 2022-26, including a robust tourism plan. The strategy aims to attract 14.1m tourists annually and elevate the industry’s contribution to GDP to 11.4% by 2026. Surpassing the 2022 target of 8.3m visitors by 19%, the kingdom received a total of 9.9m visitors that year. This figure exceeds the previous year’s arrivals, which stood at 3.7m.

The tourism industry saw improvements in most key indicators in 2022, including generating BD1.5bn ($4bn) in revenue, surpassing the BD1bn ($2.7bn) target by 50%. Tourists spent an average of BD76 ($202) per day, which exceeded the target expenditure of BD69 ($183) by 10%, while the average length of stay was 3.5 days, surpassing the target of 3.3 days and reflecting an increase of more than 6%. Bahrain’s tourism recovered by 90% compared to pre-pandemic levels, outpacing the international recovery rate, which was estimated by the UN World Tourism Organisation at 65%. Within this recovery, the MICE segment stands out as a key pillar of growth and holds potential to boost non-oil revenue, improve tourism performance, generate jobs, raise the standard of tourism infrastructure and foster opportunities.

Infrastructure Strengths

During the first three quarters of 2022 the tourism sector attracted $291m in direct investment out of a total of $921m from 66 companies. These investments came from eight companies entering or expanding their presence in Bahrain, and are expected to create more than 1090 jobs over three years, aligning with the diversification goals of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

Through the development of key supporting gateway infrastructure, including the $1.1bn airport modernisation project, which added a terminal that increased annual passenger-handling capacity of Bahrain International Airport (BIA) by 14m in 2022, and the completed renovation of the Awal Private Terminal at BIA that same year, the kingdom has bolstered its capacity to receive international visitors and host events, exhibitions and trade shows.

Working under the slogan “Bahrain. Ours. Yours.”, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has taken charge of developing and promoting the kingdom as a trade and business centre and integrating international marketing efforts. Over the years Bahrain has capitalised on major annual international gatherings and events, including Formula 1 (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix and the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Manama Dialogue, to expand its leisure and hospitality infrastructure, while boosting its regional standing as a host nation. In 2021 travel and tourism contributed approximately $3bn to GDP, or 8.2%. Of this amount, 28% was generated by business and 72% by leisure tourism, signalling the potential of business tourism as the kingdom scales up MICE infrastructure and in-person events stage a comeback after the pandemic-related lockdowns.

In order to achieve its aim of developing the MICE industry, Bahrain made a significant addition to its events infrastructure portfolio with the inauguration of Exhibition World Bahrain in November 2022. With over 95,000 sq metres of trade show and conference space across 10 exhibition halls, 94 meeting rooms, 25 retail outlets and a 4000-seat grand hall, Exhibition World Bahrain, managed by Australia’s ASM Global, is one of the largest convention centres in the Middle East. The BTEA, which owns the facility, plans to leverage ASM Global’s network of more than 350 venues around the world to create event experiences and raise the kingdom’s profile as a major global destination for international meetings and conventions.

Immediately following its opening, Exhibition World Bahrain hosted three simultaneous events that attracted more than 100,000 visitors over five days: the 30th edition of Jewellery Arabia, a regional jewellery and watch show; the inaugural edition of Scent Arabia, Bahrain’s first luxury fragrance event; and Cityscape Bahrain 2022, a regional real estate summit and exhibition. The events marked the beginning of a calendar that is fully booked through the end of 2023.

Source Markets

Although tourism growth in Bahrain has historically been fuelled by intraregional tourists, which, according to the GCC Statistical Centre, comprised 95.6% of international tourist arrivals in 2019, the kingdom has pivoted its strategy to broaden its potential source markets. In December 2021 Bahrain launched the second pillar of its tourism strategy, centred on capturing 19 key markets across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, expanding on its previous focus on GCC countries, Russia and India. These new markets, selected on the basis of tourism traffic and existing direct flights, include China, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.

In the first quarter of 2022 the kingdom signed agreements with 75 tour operators across 19 priority markets and has launched awareness campaigns in each. Bahrain has also been working to strengthen its tourism ties with India, the world’s second-most-populous country and a key source market. In 2022 the BTEA conducted its first four-city roadshow in the cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and New Delhi to promote its leisure, MICE and weddings segments. After launching the Island Wedding incentive programme in April 2017, the kingdom attracted 17 large Indian weddings, receiving around 6000 guests and adding $22m to the economy by the end of 2019.

Competitive Edge

Moving forwards, one of the main challenges for Bahrain’s MICE growth is competition from other destinations in the region, in particular the UAE, which has invested heavily in infrastructure. Prior to the pandemic total business travel spending in the GCC grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1% between 2016 and 2019, outperforming total leisure spending, which grew at a CAGR of 13.6%. As the GCC rebounded from the pandemic, total business spending recovered by 51.2% in 2021. Activity was largely concentrated in the UAE, which accounted for 42% of business tourism spending in the region that year.

Although the GCC region was hit by the 2014 oil slump and its property markets faced oversupply, new hotel room capacity has grown at a steady rate across all member countries. Between 2016 and 2021 hotel supply in the region grew by more than 146,337 rooms, or a CAGR of 4.6%, to reach 832,024 rooms. Expansion was spearheaded by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, all of which outpaced the global average.

Bahrain added approximately 6280 hotel rooms between 2016 and 2021, while its occupancy rate was estimated at 42.4% in 2021, a significant increase from 28.1% in 2020 but lower than the pre-pandemic rate of 56.2% in 2019. Similarly, Bahrain reached an average daily rate of $173 and a revenue per available room of $86 in 2022, which grew by 21.1% and 39.6%, respectively, compared to 2021.

Future prospects look positive as the Bahrain International Circuit secured a place in the F1 calendar until 2036, bolstering opportunities for the hospitality sector. During the Grand Prix week, hotels run at 100% capacity, and the event alone generates up to $81m in accommodation revenue.

As Bahrain looks to accelerate sustainable economic diversification, its MICE strategy is being implemented with renewed vigour with the help of synergies with key stakeholders. In addition to the development of new hotels and conference facilities, and improvements in the transport network, the kingdom’s flag carrier, Gulf Air, has played a key role, synchronising its network with key source markets and actively promoting Bahrain as a top MICE destination.

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Wego and bahrain tourism and exhibitions authority: "pioneering together to showcase bahrain's beauty".

DUBAI , UAE , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in MENA ( Middle East and North Africa ), and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority are coming together to promote Bahrain as a leading travel destination. This strategic partnership combines Wego's cutting-edge travel technology with Bahrain's abundant cultural heritage and diverse attractions, promising an unmatched experience for travelers worldwide.

Wego, renowned for connecting millions of users to a wide array of travel options, is excited to join forces with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to showcase the Kingdom's unique attractions, historical landmarks, and warm hospitality. This collaboration signifies a shared commitment to enhancing Bahrain's visibility on the global stage and driving tourism growth for the Kingdom.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, recognizing Wego's extensive reach and user-friendly platform as key assets to promote Bahrain's beauty and charm. With its blend of modernity and tradition, Bahrain has much to offer, from vibrant markets and cultural festivals to historical sites and pristine beaches.

"Wego is delighted to collaborate once again with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to spotlight the incredible offerings of Bahrain ," said Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Business Officer of Wego. "Our platform is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating travel experiences, and we are eager to showcase Bahrain's rich tapestry to our global audience. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to promoting exceptional destinations and creating memorable journeys."

The co-marketing initiative will leverage Wego's digital platform to feature dedicated sections highlighting Bahrain's key attractions, travel tips, and exclusive promotions. The collaboration aims to position Bahrain as a top destination for travelers seeking a blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation.

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority is confident that this partnership will contribute to the Kingdom's tourism goals and foster positive economic impacts.

Together, Wego and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority aim to showcase Bahrain as a must-visit destination, inviting travelers to explore its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique experiences.

Wego provides award-winning travel search websites and top-ranked mobile apps for travelers living in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Wego harnesses powerful yet simple to use technology that automates the process of searching and comparing results from hundreds of airlines, hotels, and online travel agency websites.

Wego presents an unbiased comparison of all travel products and prices offered in the marketplace by merchants, both local and global, and enables shoppers to quickly find the best deal and place to book whether it is from an airline or hotel directly or with a third-party aggregator website.

Wego was founded in 2005 and is dual headquartered in Dubai and Singapore with regional operations in Bangalore , Riyadh , Cairo , Lahore , and Kuala Lumpur .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353600/Bahrain.jpg

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wego-and-bahrain-tourism-and-exhibitions-authority-pioneering-together-to-showcase-bahrains-beauty-302078476.html

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Festival City with stc

12 Jan, 2023 - 02 Feb, 2023

Bahrain International Circuit

In celebration of Bahrain’s festive season, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority organizes the most spectacular festival in Bahrain.

Bahrain Festival City will feature a lot of fun and excitement for everyone to enjoy with over 45 live performances, an outdoor ice rink, daily live shows, and more!

The event will take place between the 12th of January and the 2nd of Febraury from 4pm to 11pm on weekdays and 4pm to 12pm on weekends at Bahrain International Circuit.

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4:00 PM - 11:00 PM

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Unified gcc tourist visa: system will be in place by end of 2024, uae official says, work is underway for packages to serve entire region and alignment of large events and e-service is a vital part of it.

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The system to launch the unified GCC tourist visa will be put in place by the end of the year by the regional countries, said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA) at the Arabian Travel Market on Monday.

“By the end of this year, the whole system will be in place. (We) are working day and night and e-service is a vital part of it. We don’t want to complicate things for people and also maintain the same security level. It will be a very good initiative and we will see a positive outcome for regional economies,” Al Midfa said during the panel discussion by the regional tourism chief.

Last week, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, said that efforts are underway in collaboration with other GCC partners to launch the unified GCC tourist visa following the approval by all the regional countries last year.

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“Once it comes into effect, it will contribute to highlighting the diverse tourism destinations in GCC countries, attracting and retaining tourists for longer periods, thus increasing the number of hotel guests and making the region one of the leading destinations for regional and international tourists alike,” Al Marri said after attending a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on April 28 and 29.

Packages, aligning biggest events

Al Midfa said the UAE and other Gulf countries are working with large tourist operators, and companies to roll out packages that take care of the entire region.

He added that talks are underway with hotels and airlines to create partnerships. “As government, we create the right platform that enables them to create business. So work closely with the private sector we make it happen.”

He added that once the GCC single tourist visa is rolled out, companies and tourist operators will automatically roll out combined packages.

He added that as part of the single tourism GCC, the aim is to extend the length of stay of visitors in UAE. “People don’t go to the US for 2 nights. People go for leisure travel for 2-3 weeks and we want to combine the packages here within the GCC and make it easy and buy a package. We may need to align some of the biggest events in order to work out the timing so that there is no overlapping.”

He revealed that both leisure and business travel packages will be rolled out by the private sector once a single tourist visa has been launched.

Sarah Buhijji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, added that Bahrain is also working on packages for the entire region. “Visitors can come to Bahrain and stay 3 nights, then go to Oman and Saudi. We are promoting the entire region as one package. We have signed an MoU with Saudi Arabia to promote two countries as one destination and we are doing it with the rest of the regional countries,” she added.

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Bahrain port operator hopes to double cruise passenger arrivals

• Target 232,000 cruise passengers
• Aiming for 12% of GDP from tourism
• Visitor numbers in H1 2023 up 50%

The operator of Bahrain’s biggest port has held discussions with international tour operators to try to double the number of cruise passengers visiting the kingdom next season.

Khalifa Bin Salman Port is operated by APM Terminals Bahrain. It welcomed more than 116,000 cruise passengers in the last six-month season, which ran from October to March, a fourfold increase on the previous season’s visitor numbers.

The port’s managing director, Matthew Luckhurst, told AGBI two and sometimes three cruise ships were arriving on the shores of the kingdom every other Monday, carrying in the region of 8,000 to 10,000 passengers.

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The ships were operated by seven different cruise companies from Switzerland, Germany, the US, Monaco, France and Norway.

Luckhurst said he would like to see passenger numbers double again: “We have the capacity to do it.

“We are talking to other cruise operators regionally and globally to try and expand the number of cruise operators that would like to call at Bahrain.”

Cruise ships visiting Bahrain are predominantly part of Gulf-wide package tours that stay in the kingdom for a day before carrying on to other countries in the GCC.

“Ideally, what we would like to see is those cruise liners doing an overnight stay or multi-day stay, so disembarking and embarkation through the airport and our facility,” Luckhurst said.

The Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority are both working on plans to make this a reality, Luckhurst said.

Bahrain welcomed nearly 6 million visitors during the first six months of 2023, a 50 percent increase on the same period in 2022, when 3.9 million tourists visited the country.

Tourism made up 7 percent of Bahrain’s GDP in 2022. The country’s minister of tourism, Fatima Al Sairafi, told AGBI the plan was to increase that by as much as 5 percentage points.

Under the kingdom’s five-year economic recovery plan created in 2021, Bahrain is aiming to increase the total number of tourists to 14.1 million by 2026 and the average daily visitor spends to BHD74.8 ($198), and raise the average tourist’s stay to 3½ days.

Cruise tourism contributed $138 billion to the global economy in 2022, supporting 1.2 million jobs, up by 4 percent since 2019, a report from the Cruise Lines International Association said.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority participated in the Seatrade Cruise Global 2024 in Miami last month, where it promoted opportunities for cruise ships and yachts to dock in the kingdom.

Bahrain’s capital, Manama, has been designated the “Capital of Gulf Tourism” for 2024.

The future of tourism will be a key discussion at the four-day annual Arabian Travel Market , the region’s biggest travel and hospitality exhibition, which opens in Dubai on May 6.

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