Latest news with #AlSairafi
Daily Tribune
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
How Bahrain's Youth Are Shaping Government and Tourism
Bahrain's Minister of Tourism, H.E. Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, praised the Prime Minister's Fellowship Program for its strong role in developing skilled national talents capable of advancing government work across all sectors. During her meeting with the 10th batch of program participants at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Zallaq, Minister Al Sairafi highlighted how the program—under the continuous support and guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister—has become a cornerstone in building future leaders and strengthening public sector performance. She also introduced the key pillars of Bahrain's Tourism Strategy 2022–2026, which focuses on sustainability, innovation, and enhancing the visitor experience. The minister outlined ongoing efforts to diversify tourism offerings and spotlighted major projects being carried out in partnership with the private sector. Minister Al Sairafi emphasized that the growth of Bahrain's tourism sector relies on strong public-private partnerships. She applauded the private sector's critical role in driving tourism activity and creating diverse opportunities for young Bahrainis to be part of this rapidly growing industry. She also recognized the valuable contributions of national talents in launching initiatives, enhancing institutional performance, organizing major events, and promoting Bahrain both locally and globally. Participants from the fellowship program expressed their gratitude for the minister's encouragement and reaffirmed their commitment to working together as "Team Bahrain" to support the country's ongoing development journey and strengthen its competitiveness on the global stage.
Daily Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Key tourism strategy yields results with Eid visitor boom
Enhanced cooperation with the private sector has contributed to achieving the objectives of the Tourism Sector Strategy (2022–2026), resulting in increased visitor numbers to the Kingdom of Bahrain and higher hotel occupancy rates during the Eid Al Adha holiday. This was affirmed by Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism. She noted that promotional efforts focused on launching innovative packages targeting Gulf families, in collaboration with Gulf Air, Bahrain's national carrier, as well as hotels, resorts, and travel agents. Key target markets The Gulf countries are among the five key target markets identified in the tourism strategy, which has been clearly reflected in the positive performance indicators. Al Sairafi said that the current momentum in Bahrain's tourism sector highlights the development of tourism infrastructure and the diversity of services, supported by advanced facilities that meet visitors' expectations. She also emphasised the variety of tourism experiences available, including events, theatrical performances, and a wide range of entertainment activities catering to different preferences. The Minister underscored the importance of continued collaboration between the public and private sectors to support the growth of this promising sector. National priority Al Sairafi added that the Kingdom places increasing importance on the tourism sector as a national priority, which requires launching innovative initiatives and implementing projects that enhance Bahrain's cultural and civilisational values, further strengthening its tourism position regionally and internationally. She confirmed that current indicators reflect rapid progress toward achieving the strategy's goals, including increasing the tourism sector's contribution to GDP and reinforcing Bahrain's status as a sustainable tourism destination in the region. This is being accomplished by expanding entertainment, hospitality, and retail options, offering integrated travel and accommodation packages, and advancing a sustainable tourism ecosystem.
Trade Arabia
29-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Bahrain showcases its top tourism facilities at ATM
Bahrain is highlighting its tourism infrastructure and enhanced opportunities for cooperation with international markets and partners at the Arabian Travel Market, which opened in Dubai on Monday. The kingdom is showcasing the qualitative developments achieved in the sector, and objectives of the 2022 - 2026 Tourism Strategy at the event, said Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, who is participating in the Arabian Travel Market. The kingdom is participating this year with a pavilion comprising 28 entities from the public and private sectors, most notably the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, the national carrier Gulf Air, and Exhibition World Bahrain, alongside a number of luxury hotels, resorts, and destination management companies. Bahrain's participation covers a 425-sq-m pavilion, showcasing the kingdom's prominent tourism assets, informing visitors and participants about the latest tourism projects and initiatives, and holding bilateral meetings with representatives of the tourism sector from around the world to explore opportunities for joint cooperation and exchange best practices in sustainable tourism. Al Sairafi explained that the exhibition is one of the largest and most important specialised exhibitions in the travel and tourism sector regionally and globally. This year, it highlights the future aspects of travel and tourism, focusing on the role of communication in shaping the next phase. She emphasised Bahrain's commitment to participating in major international events, contributing to tourism promotion, enhancing communication with stakeholders in the travel and tourism sector from around the world. On the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market, the minister met with Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the UAE, and Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism of Oman. They discussed prospects for cooperation in tourism and emphasised the importance of further developing partnerships to serve common interests and support tourism development plans in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Daily Tribune
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
74% of tour guides are Bahraini, ‘all licensed'
Tourism Minister, Her Excellency Fatima Al Sairafi, told Parliament yesterday that 74 per cent of tour guides in Bahrain are citizens, all licensed and certified by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). She was speaking in response to remarks from MP Mohammed Janahi, who raised several concerns during the session. In reply, Al Sairafi defended the ministry's performance and said Bahrainis remain at the heart of the government's tourism plans. 'There are several points raised by the MP,' she said. 'Unfortunately, some of them are not accurate.' She said Vatel College of Hospitality is an accredited institution in Bahrain and that its students are employed while still studying. 'Sixty-two per cent of Vatel graduates are Bahrainis,' she told MPs. 'They are working in the hotel and hospitality sector in the Kingdom, which in itself shows the importance of this sector and the value the ministry and the authority place on bringing Bahrainis into it.' The Minister added that this approach falls under the tourism strategy launched in 2022. Al Sairafi said she welcomed the MP's call to make better use of the college and confirmed a new qualification is in the pipeline. Feasibility study 'At the moment, Vatel offers a bachelor's degree,' she said. 'We are working to introduce a master's degree soon. I would also like to support the MP's suggestion that the college offer short-term development courses. That is already under way. We are preparing a feasibility study with those involved in the tourism sector, inside and outside Bahrain.' Turning to training, she said the system for guides had been changed. 'There may have been training in 2015,' she said. 'But in 2023, we changed the whole training structure and worked with the UN World Tourism Organisation to ensure a full and proper programme for tour guides. This was a joint effort between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and the government bodies involved.' Oversight She also addressed the issue of oversight. 'The MP mentioned regulation, which is important,' she said. 'In 2023, the licensing and inspection directorates were separated. We are now preparing a new decision that will contain clear regulatory tools to stop these kinds of practices.' Al Sairafi noted that this policy shift has already produced results. 'The rise in the number of Bahrainis working as tour guides is clear,' she said. MP Janahi had referred to Decision No. (3) of 2005 on the regulation of tour guiding. Al Sairafi acknowledged that it states Bahrainis have priority, but she pointed out that Article 7 of the same decision allows for exceptions. 'The authority is allowed to grant licences to non-Bahrainis in certain cases,' she said, 'for example, to provide services in languages that Bahrainis may not speak. In the 2022 strategy, we targeted several tourist markets, including many countries in Europe.'
Daily Tribune
20-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Eyes Greater Chinese Tourist Influx Through Strategic Partnerships
Minister of Tourism Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi has affirmed the strength of Bahrain-China relations, particularly in the tourism sector, noting both countries' mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation and expanding their strategic partnership. Her remarks came during a meeting with a high-level delegation from China's Guangdong Province, led by His Excellency Liu Hongbing, Deputy Governor of the Provincial Government. The delegation included officials from the sectors of culture, tourism, sports, and foreign affairs. Minister Al Sairafi emphasized that China remains one of the Kingdom's key target markets under Bahrain's 2022–2026 Tourism Strategy. She highlighted Bahrain's continued efforts to promote its tourism offerings in China through partnerships with major travel companies and tailored campaigns based on the preferences of Chinese travelers. She added that Bahrain is working closely with tour operators and agencies in China to launch customized tourism packages. The goal is to attract more Chinese visitors and bolster collaboration in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector through coordination with top Chinese firms. During the meeting, both sides discussed avenues to deepen tourism collaboration with Guangdong, explore opportunities for knowledge exchange, and consider joint tourism initiatives and events. Al Sairafi noted that the launch of Gulf Air's direct flights to Guangzhou and Shanghai has significantly boosted efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic and tourism sectors. Minister Al Sairafi expressed Bahrain's eagerness to build on its existing relationship with China, aiming to unlock new areas of cooperation—especially in sustainable tourism, the exchange of tourism and investment delegations, and the promotion of Bahrain's rich cultural, historical, and natural assets. For his part, Deputy Governor Liu Hongbing expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome, affirming Guangdong Province's keenness to strengthen its cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain and pursue initiatives that would further enhance tourism and cultural ties between the two sides.
