Bahrain keen to promote GCC as unified tourism destination

Trade Arabia

19-02-2025

Bahrain's Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi has underscored the kingdom's commitment to further develop coordination with GCC countries to launch joint tourism initiatives, enhance regional tourism offerings, and promote the region as a unified destination.
She was speaking at the ninth preparatory meeting of the GCC Ministers Responsible for Tourism in Kuwait. The meeting was chaired by Abdulrahman Al Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture of Kuwait. The meeting was also attended by Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, GCC Secretary General, said a Bahrain News Agency (BNA) report.
The minister emphasised that GCC countries have the potential to lead the regional and global tourism sector. This is supported by the GCC's efforts to promote the region as a unified tourist destination, offering diverse attractions and events that appeal to visitors worldwide.
Minister Al Sairafi highlighted Bahrain's success in attracting a high number of visitors from the GCC in 2024, coinciding with Manama's selection as the GCC Tourism Capital. She noted Bahrain's efforts to host year-round tourism and entertainment events catering to diverse visitor preferences while expanding leisure, hospitality, and shopping options through exclusive travel and accommodation packages for GCC tourists.
She noted that GCC countries are increasingly focused on enhancing joint efforts to market the region as an integrated tourism destination. She highlighted the development of a comprehensive tourism ecosystem that supports the growth of the travel and tourism sector, attracts more visitors, and supports the growth of tourism-related industries.
AL Sairafi noted that in 2023, international tourist arrivals to the GCC increased by 42.8% compared to 2019, while international tourism revenues grew by 28% over the same period.
She highlighted that Bahrain's 2022-2026 tourism strategy prioritises the GCC market as one of its key target audiences.
The meeting reviewed the progress made in implementing the decisions from the eighth session, held in Doha in 2024, which included projects, initiatives, and objectives related to developing tourism across GCC countries.
The ministers responsible for tourism in the GCC also discussed several key topics concerning the sector. These included the Gulf tourism strategy, plans for further developing cooperation between the tourism and cultural sectors, and other issues aimed at enhancing joint tourism efforts among GCC countries.