Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority: GCC States Possess Tourism Assets to Enhance Global Standing

By Khaloud Al-Anzi (Liqa’) Manama, 13 Sept (KUNA) -- Sara Bu-Hajji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), affirmed that Gulf tourism integration serves as a fundamental pillar for enhancing the region’s competitiveness and ensuring the sustainable growth of the sector. She highlighted the diverse tourism assets and advanced infrastructure possessed by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which qualify them to offer a comprehensive tourism experience.

In an interview with KUNA on Sunday, Bu-Hajji stated that strengthening the GCC’s position as an attractive tourism destination at both regional and international levels contributes to increasing its capacity to attract more visitors and tourism investments. She emphasized the importance of unifying efforts and developing joint initiatives to serve the tourism sector in GCC member states.

She explained that the Authority is keen on active participation in the work of Gulf tourism committees, submitting proposals, and implementing memorandums of understanding and cooperation programs with tourism entities in GCC countries. This aims to enhance the exchange of expertise and coordinate joint initiatives.

Bu-Hajji pointed out the importance of developing joint promotional campaigns and encouraging the design of multi-destination tourism packages in collaboration with airlines and tour operators. Such measures facilitate visitor movement between GCC countries and reinforce the concept of the Gulf as a unified tourism destination capable of attracting visitors from various global markets.

She noted that Gulf tourism cooperation directly impacts the economies of GCC member states by increasing tourist traffic, stimulating spending, enhancing investments, and creating job opportunities in the tourism sector and related industries. It also boosts the region’s attractiveness to visitors wishing to explore multiple destinations during a single trip.

She added that ease of movement between GCC countries, along with the development of transport and air connectivity networks, enhances opportunities for extending visitors’ stays and exploring more destinations. This supports the hospitality, aviation, retail, transport, and restaurant sectors, while allowing each country to retain its unique identity and tourism experiences that reflect its culture and distinct character.

Regarding Bahrain-Kuwait relations, Bu-Hajji affirmed that they are built on solid historical and fraternal foundations, representing an extension of strong human and social ties. She praised the relations between the two countries and their brotherly peoples.

She added that the Kingdom of Bahrain always takes pride in hosting visitors from Kuwait, ensuring they feel at home and among their own people from the moment of their arrival. She noted that the continuous influx of Kuwaiti visitors reflects the high level of mutual trust and affection between the two peoples, motivating the Authority to continue developing tourism experiences that meet their aspirations.

She indicated that tourism cooperation between Bahrain and Kuwait is witnessing continuous development, supported by the care and attention of the wise leaderships of the two brotherly countries. The Authority is keen on exchanging expertise, enhancing participation in tourism events and exhibitions, cooperating with airlines and travel agencies, and implementing joint promotional campaigns to increase tourist flows and enhance joint tourism investments.

On enhancing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s status as a preferred destination for brothers in the GCC, Bu-Hajji explained that the “We Welcome You Here” campaign is part of the Authority’s efforts to highlight the Kingdom’s distinctive tourism assets, in addition to its geographical proximity, ease of access, and diverse year-round tourism experiences.

She added that the campaign focuses on inviting visitors to enjoy a complete summer season that combines entertainment, events, culture, hospitality, and shopping, reflecting Bahrain’s identity as a destination that welcomes everyone and provides experiences suitable for all family members.

She pointed out that Bahrain’s summer season this year features greater momentum in terms of event diversity and integrated experiences offered to visitors in collaboration with various partners. The summer calendar includes entertainment, cultural, and sports events, as well as family experiences across the Kingdom, offering visitors multiple options and encouraging them to extend their stays and return for repeat visits.

She added that this year’s edition of the Bahrain Summer Festival of Games is the largest, having launched on July 2 and running for 35 days at the Bahrain World Trade Center Exhibition Hall. It features 16 activities and experiences distributed across four main areas catering to different age groups and interests, alongside seven daily live theatrical performances on the main stage and various artistic concerts.

She noted that the Bahrain World Trade Center Exhibition Hall is hosting the famous Kuwaiti comedy play “The Haunted House,” organized by Bayoun Theater in Doha, with widespread attendance from theater audiences in Bahrain and GCC countries.

Bu-Hajji confirmed that during the summer season, the Authority works with private sector partners to provide a comprehensive program of events and tourism experiences catering to various interests and age groups, whether in entertainment, culture, sports, or relaxation.

Bu-Hajji stated that the tourism sector constitutes one of the main drivers of economic growth in the Kingdom of Bahrain through its role in attracting investments, boosting economic activity, and providing quality job opportunities. She noted that the sector has witnessed significant development in recent years, thanks to infrastructure development, attracting international events, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector.

She added that the Bahrain World Trade Center has contributed since its opening to enhancing the Kingdom’s position in the business tourism sector by hosting several major events and international exhibitions, including the Arabian Jewelry Show, Arabian Perfume Show, Cityscape, and the Autumn Fair, as well as the third edition of the Asian Youth Games and the ninth edition of the UNWTO Global Forum on Food and Tourism.

She noted that the Center signed a long-term partnership agreement with the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) to host three consecutive editions of the International Refining, Petrochemicals, and Manufacturing Conference and Exhibition, thereby enhancing Bahrain’s position on the tourism investment map.

She said that the Kingdom of Bahrain possesses attributes that make it a preferred destination for Gulf tourists, foremost among which is the Bahraini people, known for their authentic hospitality and generosity, alongside security, stability, geographical proximity, ease of access, and diverse tourism experiences.

She confirmed the continuation of efforts with partners to develop tourism products and enhance event, business, conference, cultural, sports, and family tourism, in addition to expanding promotion in targeted markets and participating in international exhibitions and promotional tours.

She mentioned that the success of any tourism destination depends on the integrated roles of government entities and the private sector, including hotels, airlines, shopping malls, tourism projects, and event organizers. She emphasized the Authority’s commitment to building partnerships that deliver added value to all parties.

She affirmed that the Authority’s priorities in the coming phase include continuing to diversify the tourism product and enhancing Bahrain’s competitiveness regionally and internationally by attracting more major events, developing tourism experiences, expanding partnerships with the private sector, and focusing on business, conference, exhibition, and incentive tourism.

Regarding the measurement of the success of the “We Welcome You Here” campaign, Bu-Hajji explained that the Authority relies on a set of indicators, including visitor numbers from targeted markets, hotel occupancy rates, average length of stay, and tourism spending. It also monitors engagement with the campaign via digital platforms and the outcomes of partnerships with the tourism sector.

She added that initial indicators since the campaign’s launch reflect growing interest in the summer season through engagement with the campaign and attendance at accompanying events. She expressed her hope for the continuation of this momentum and the achievement of tangible results.

The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to consolidate its position as a leading tourism destination in the region by implementing plans and initiatives aimed at diversifying the tourism product and enhancing collaboration with the private sector. These efforts contribute to increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy and align with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030. (End) K.N.A. / S.M.A.